Evaluation of Treatment Outcomes of Skeletal Class III Malocclusion Resulted from Dynaflex Appliance: A Clinical study

Abstract

Purpose: This clinical study was carried out to assess skeletal and dentoalveolar changes introduced by Dynaflex appliance on skeletal class III malocclusion treatment. Materials and methods: 8 patients (4 males & 4 females) aged 10-13 years old with skeletal class III discrepancy (-3 < ANB < 0) and dental class III malocclusion were treated using Dynaflex. Following leveling and alignment the appliance was positioned mesial to maxillary first molars and distal to mandibular canines. After reaching normal overbite and overjet with Class I molar and canine relationship, Dynaflex was removed. Lateral cephalometric radiographs were taken before treatment and after Dynaflex removal. Tracing for the two radiographs were done digitally using Webceph software. Skeletal, dental, and soft tissue changes were calculated by subtracting measurements taken before treatment from measurements taken after Dynaflex removal. Results: Positive overjet with class I molar and canine relationship was accomplished. Significant skeletal, dental, and soft tissue changes between pre and post treatment radiographs were detected. Forward movement of maxillary base by 1.9 mm and backward movement of mandibular base by 1.3 mm were seen with ANB improvements. Forward movement of maxillary incisors by 2.1 mm was found. Upper and lower lip showed significant protrusion and retrusion, respectively. Conclusion: Dynaflex appliance can be used to correct mild to moderate skeletal class III malocclusion (-3 < ANB < 0) with minimal patient compliance. Factors that contributed to overjet correction were anterior movement of maxilla, posterior and downward movement of mandible together with maxillary incisors proclination.