Paediatric Orthodontics. Part 4: SEC III protocol in Class III malocclusion.

Abstract

SEC III protocol: Early treatment of dentoskeletal Class III malocclusions. The early treatment of dentoskeletal Class III malocclusion is one of the more challenging situations for orthodontists, mainly for the uncertainty of stable long-term results due to the interaction of both environmental and genetic aetiological factors. Several interceptive protocols have been proposed during the past decades. The SEC III protocol includes two occlusal acrylic Splints combined with Class III elastics and chin cup. The protocol was proposed to facilitate Class III dentoskeletal correction by eliminating the intercuspation and the tongue thrust with clockwise mandibular rotation and minimal dentoalveolar compensation. The main difference with all the other appliances is the vertical control, which is crucial in difficult cases such as hyperdivergent Class III malocclusions.