Maxillary Deficiency Treatment

Showkatbakhsh R, Jamilian A, Ghassemi M, Ghassemi A, Shayan A. Maxillary Deficiency Treatment by Fixed Tongue Appliance –A Case Report. Int J Orthod Milwaukee. 2013 Fall; 24(3):31-4

Abstract

This case illustrates orthopaedic treatment of a 12.1-year-old girl with class III malocclusion and maxillary deficiency. The patient was treated by a fixed tongue appliance in the upper jaw. First maxillary molars and premolars were banded and a hyrax was mounted on them in order to achieve lateral expansion. A fixed tongue appliance comprising of a few cribs was soldered to the anterior side of the hyrax with the purpose of pushing the maxilla in forward position. The orthopaedic stage of treatment lasted for 5 months after which favourable correction of the malocclusion was observed. The SNA angle increased by 2 degrees, the IMPA decreased by 10 degrees and mandibular plane angle (GoGn-SN) increased by 20. After this time, the fixed tongue appliance and Hyrax remained in the mouth for 3 more months as retention. This case demonstrates that fixed tongue appliance might be an alternative method to extra oral appliances in class III and maxillary deficient cases.

Article in PubMed

Keywords
Maxillary Deficiency, Fixed Tongue Appliance