A Removable Class III Traction Appliance for Early Class III Treatment

Maxillary, mandibular, and dental effects resulting from the use of a removable intraoral Class III traction appliance as well as the protraction facemask in treatment of Class III malocclusion were assessed. This is a retrospective study comparing measurements from pre-treatment and post-treatment lateral cephalometric radiographs of two groups. Group 1 consisted of 25 patients treated with rapid palatal expansion followed by a removable intraoral Class III traction appliance. Group 2 consisted of 25 patients treated with rapid palatal expansion followed by a protraction facemask. The subjects were Caucasian, both male and female, with an age range of 3 to 12 years. The only significant differences were in length of treatment time and the skeletal change of angle SNA. The mean treatment times were 6.96 months and 10.96 months in the removable Class III traction appliance and protraction facemask groups, respectively. The mean increase in SNA was 0.46 degrees in the removable Class III traction appliance group and 1.81 degrees in the protraction facemask group. A removable Class III traction appliance provides orthodontists with another useful Class III treatment modality.