Berlin standard activator in the treatment of growing patients with mandibular deficiency: Case report

Abstract

Activator is a removable functional appliance used for correcting the skeletal Class II malocclusion in children with the mandibular deficiency. Berlin standard activator modified from Andresen activator has following characters; do not cover the palatal surface for tongue space, relief on lingual surface of mandibular incisors and resin capping 1/3-1/2 of crown height on mandibular incisors for preventing labioversion of mandibular incisors, L-hook between maxillary lateral incisor and canine for anterior high pull headgear, relief on mandibular posterior bite block for differential eruption of posterior teeth. Two cases presented here had a mandibular deficiency and slight maxillary protrusion. First case (an 11-year-old girl) treated with Berlin standard activator and anterior high pull headgear for 13 months followed by fixed orthodontic appliance for another 29 months. Second case (a 12-year-old boy) treated with Berlin standard activator for 6 months followed by fixed appliance for another 24 months. Treatment results showed a significant improvement in sagittal skeletal and occlusal relationship without premolar extraction. Mandibular condyles were concentric in TMJ [ossa, and masticatory muscle activities were normalized after treatment. In the retention period facial harmony and occlusal stability was maintained.