Clinical Results of Skeletal Class III Malocclusion in 11 Children Aged from 10 to 14 Years

Objective The aim of this study is to investigate the clinical effects of combined protraction facemask and rapid maxillary expansion in the treatment of Class Ⅲ malocclusion in 11 children aged from 10 to 14 years.Methods The observation group included 11 subjects in late mixed dentition or early permanent dentition,and the control group included 32 subjects in early mixed dentition. Protraction facemask and rapid maxillary expansion device was used and the mean treatment time was 6 months. Cephalometric radiographs were taken at the initiation of treatment (T1) and after 6 months of treatment(T2).In this way,(T2 T1) represented cephalometric changes after the treantment and cephalometric analysis based on a new basecranical reference system was used to compare the changes.Results All the subjects had the following changes: the maxilla moved forward, the mandible exhibited a downward and backward rotation and the forward growth was restricted. The overjet correction of the observation group was 5.3mm, 51% of the overjet correction was due to skeletal changes and 49% due to dental changes.9 cases obtained normal overjet and overbite and molar relationship. Conclusion The combination of protraction facemask and rapid maxillary expansion is helpful to the correction of Class Ⅲ malocclusion in children aged from 10 to 14 years.It can alleviate the degree of deformation,avoid surgery, and improve the relationship between hard and soft tissue.