Non-Surgical Orthodontic Treatment of Class III Adult with Posterior Crossbite, Anterior Open Bite and Asymmetric Occlusion, Using TADs and Auxiliary Wires: A Case Report

Abstract

Class III malocclusion associated with posterior crossbite, anterior open bite pattern with asymmetric occlusion in adults can be a challenging orthodontic problem, especially for the nonsurgical treatment. Skeletal Class III anteroposterior discrepancies in adult patients are generally managed either by surgical-orthodontic treatment or by orthodontic camouflage through dentoalveolar compensation. Although correction with surgery may be the most effective and stable way, many patients refuse surgical treatment plan because of the costs and traumas it may bring. This case report describes the successful use of TADs with expansion auxiliary wire to treat a 24-year-old man with skeletal class III malocclusion, posterior crossbite, anterior open-bite and asymmetric occlusion, mild upper and lower dental spacing and a chief manifestation of anterior crossbite. The patient refused surgery. A treatment plan was formulated consisting of using auxiliary expansion wire to expand the maxillary arch, 8 mm mini-screws between the roots of the mandibular canines and first premolars, preadjusted edgewise brackets to align the teeth, Class III and asymmetric elastics to correct the canines, premolars, and molars relationship and midline deviation, reverse curve of the nickel-titanium wire combined with anterior vertical elastics to intrude molars and correct the anterior open-bite. In this case, without going through surgery, the posterior cross-bite was corrected, and ideal overjet and overbite relationships, midline coincidence and functional occlusion were all achieved. Satisfactory occlusal, functional, esthetic and stable results were obtained.