Maxillary Protraction in Class III Cases

Treatment of young Class III patients with maxillary deficiency is generally directed towards achieving positive overjet through a combination of dentoalveolar and skeletal effects. Reverse pull headgear has been used for the protraction of the deficient maxilla in young class III patients, it does not have a positive feedback esthetically and can be an obstruction in daily routine. The short term outcomes of maxillary protraction treatment have been documented limited orthopedic effect on the maxilla, rotation of the mandible and dentoalveolar changes. The long term follow ups of maxillary protraction indicated a 25% to 33% chance of relapse. A significant proportion of patients with maxillary deficient Class III skeletal malocclusion ultimately require orthognathic surgery, any treatment approach that could eliminate the need for, or reduce the extent of, future surgery would be of great benefit to these patients.