Correction of Class-II malocclusion in young adults using fixed functional appliances (Forsus) - A case series

Abstract

All over the world Class II malocclusions affects twenty percent of the population and Class II division 1 malocclusion is thought to be the most recognized problem practiced in orthodontics. A wide range of functional appliances including the removal and fixed are available for the correction of Class II skeletal pattern. The fixed functional appliances eliminate the need for patient compliance and place the treatment outcome under the control of the orthodontist.Patients with Class II mandibular retrusion and those whose growth is about to finish are typically treated with fixed functional appliances, which require little maintenance. William Vogt, was the first to introduce the Forsus appliance. Fixed functional appliances in general and the Forsus (FRD) in particular considerably speed up the correction of Class II Division 1 malocclusions and shorten treatment time as they are used in conjunction with a fully bonded fixed orthodontic appliance. Forsus primarily achieves Class II correction through dentoalveolar effects, but if utilized by patients who are at or near pubertal growth, it can result in skeletal changes as well.In this article, the management of two young adult patients with Class II Division 1 malocclusion and mandibular retrognathism is discussed. Both patients received a two-phase therapy in which first phase involved alignment of the arches with fixed orthodontic pre-adjusted appliance and second phase involved using the Forsus fixed functional appliance for at least six months.