Effects of maxillary protraction on growth in Class III malocclusion

Sung, Sang Jin; Baik, Hyoung Seon

Abstract

The method of treatment in skeletal Class III malocclusion must be chosen according to an etiology and timing of the treatment. Maxillary protraction has been used as an effective treatment method in growing children with maxillary deficiency. The efficacy of maxillary protraction has been viewed as a result of downward-backward displacement of mandible and compensatory dental displacement during the treatment rather than forward-downward growth of maxilla itself. In this study, 104 subjects treated with maxillary protraction, and 19 males and 21 females with known annual growth amount have been chosen longitudinally as treated group and normal group, respectively. And changes in position of maxilla, mandible and dentition have been comparatively analyzed on the lateral cephalometric radiographs by age. The results were as follows: 1. Treated group showed more forward movement of maxilla compare to the normal group and the mandible displaced backward compare to the normal group. 2. Downward movement of maxilla in treated group was similar to that of normal group with statistical signigicance in female 12 year old group and downward movement of mandible in treated group was similar to that of normal group. 3. In treated group, maxillary central incisor moved more forward than the normal group with statistical significance in male 8, 10 year-old groups and female 8, 9, 10 year-old groups. In treated group, downward movement of maxillary central incisor was similar to that of the normal group with statistical significance in male and female 7, 8 year-old groups. Considering the above results and the duration of the treatment, the forward movement of maxilla due to maxillary protraction was effective compared to normal growth amount of the normal group.