Class 2 in Growing Pts
Class 2 in Growing Pts
Class 2 in Growing Pts
Abstract:
Class II malocclusion is the most common type of malocclusion seen in day to day practice. It is a condition in
which the mandibular first molars occlude distal to a normal relationship with the maxillary first molar. The
treatment of class II patients varies with age. While for a patient in his pubertal growth spurt, treatment goal
would be to address the skeletal malrelationship using growth modification along with fixed orthodontics, for an
adult patient with no growth remaining, the goal would be to camouflage the skeletal malocclusion or address
the malocclusion by surgery. This article discusses the treatment modalities in the management of skeletal class
II malocclusion in growing patients.
Key Word: Growth Modification, Dental camouflage, Growing patients, Skeletal correction
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Date of Submission: 24-02-2021 Date of Acceptance: 08-03-2021
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I. Introduction
Classification of malocclusion has always been a challenge to orthodontists, yet it is an important tool
in diagnosis and treatment planning. Angle1 in the 1890s had proposed a classification which has stood the test
of time in spite of all its limitations. He defined Class II malocclusion as one in which the mandibular first
molars occlude distal to the normal relationship with the maxillary first molar Angle had differentiated
malocclusion based on the occlusal relations of the upper and the lower molars and it was later noted that a
Class II malocclusion had two components- one being a dental Class II and the other being a skeletal Class II.
Dental Class II is one where the distobuccal cusp of the upper first molar falls in the buccal groove of
the lower first molar while a skeletal Class II malocclusion can be due to a mandibular deficiency caused by
reduced size or retroposition or due to a maxillary excess or a combination of both.2 The cause for Class II
establishment in an individual be it skeletal or dental are so varied, that there exists a wide array of treatment
options for a Class II individual.
Class II malocclusion is among the most common developmental anomalies with a prevalence ranging
from 15 to 30% in most populations. Dental and skeletal Class II malocclusion carries a greater risk of dental
trauma, a more negative perception of facial and dental esthetics, a negative impact on quality of life and self-
esteem, a greater predisposition to periodontal diseases and tooth wear, and a reduction of oropharyngeal space
and greater incidence of sleep disorders. The resulting anomaly may demonstrate various severities of class II
malocclusion in different ages, which dictates the preferred approach to clinical management. The advantage of
treating Class II malocclusion during growth, that is, in the mixed or early permanent dentition stage, is the
possibility of changing the patient's growth pattern and reducing the risk of trauma to maxillary incisors. In
addition, it increases airway space in the oropharyngeal region and results in an ideal and stable occlusion.
Two treatment modalities for a dental Class II malocclusion include - A non-extraction approach which
involves the distal movement of the maxillary molars and an extraction approach involving unilateral or bilateral
dental extractions. For a skeletal Class II malocclusion, three treatment alternatives exist i.e Growth
modification, Dental camouflage, Orthognathic surgery. In a growing patient, all three may be possible;
however, in an adult the latter two are the only options. 3 For growth modification, three types of orthodontic
appliances are used. They are - Extra oral force appliance, Functional appliance and Inter arch elastic traction.
Depending on the age of Class II patients, treatment varies. For a patient in his pubertal growth spurt,
treatment goal would be to address the skeletal malrelationship by growth modification along with fixed
orthodontics.5 The following are the treatment options for correction of class II malocclusion in growing
patients- 1. Growth modification- i) Extraoral appliances (headgear), ii) Intraoral appliances-a. Removable
functional appliances, b. fixed functional appliances (rigid, flexible, hybrid) iii). Combined growth modification
iv). Interarch traction. 2. Dental camoflauge- i). Non Extraction (molar distalization), ii) Extraction
FUNCTIONAL APPLIANCES
The term “functional appliance” refers to a variety of removable appliances designed to alter the
arrangement of various muscle groups that influence the function and position of the mandible in order to
transmit forces to the dentition and the basal bone. Typically, these muscular forces are generated by altering the
mandibular position sagittally and vertically, resulting in orthodontic and orthopedic changes.
INDICATIONS:
Indications include mandibular deficiency with a normal maxillary development, a normal or mildly
decreased facial height, slightly protrusive maxillary incisors and slightly retrusive mandibular incisors with
active mandibular growth primarily in the forward direction.
Timing of treatment:
It is prudent to make use of the most active period of facial growth and compliance together making it ideal to
start treatment in the mixed dentition period.1
Skeletal effects of functional appliances:
Apart from the speculation of the downward and forward remodeling of the glenoid fossa6 that leads to the
skeletal Class II correction, there is also a headgear2 effect that is seen in these appliances. This is because of the
posterior and superior force on the maxilla caused by the stretch of the soft tissues and facial muscles that
attempt to bring the mandible back from its forward posture by the appliance. 7 Since the appliance contacts the
maxilla and the maxillary teeth, it also leads to restriction of the maxillary growth.
ACTIVATOR
It was introduced by Andresen in 1908. 6 It is a loose fitting appliance with its acrylic body covering part of the
palate and the lingual aspect of the mandibular alveolar ridge. A labial bow fits anterior to the maxillary incisors
and carries U-loops for adjustment.8
Modifications of the activator include Herren Shaye activator, Bow activator of AM Schwarz, Wunderer’s
modification, Reduced activator or cybernator of Schmuth, Hyperpropulsor activator, LSU activator,9 Cut out or
palate free activator, Lehman activator.10
BIONATOR
It was introduced by Balters in 1960. Unlike activator, bionator modulates muscle activity thereby
enhancing normal development of the inherent growth pattern and eliminating abnormal environmental
factors.11 It consists of a lower horse shoe shaped acrylic with posterior lingual extensions in upper arch. There
are three types of bionator –Standard, Open bite, Reversed or Class III.
FRANKEL APPLIANCE
It was introduced by Rolf Frankel in 1967. Frankel philosophy i s that the circumoral musculature has
a restraining effect on the dentition. If the dentition is relieved of this restraining influence as done by the lip
pads and the buccal shields, then an increase in the critical intercanine width can be seen. 12 The success of the
appliance is its function as an exercise device (oral gymnastics) stimulating normal function while eliminating
lip trap, hyperactive mentalis activity, and aberrant musculature.6,8 The types of FR tailored to different
malocclusions include- FR 1- used for Class I and Class II div1 (FR1a- Class I with minor crowding, FR1b-
Class II div 1 with overjet less than 5 mm, FR 1c- Class II div 1 with overjet greater than 7 mm), FR2- Class II
div 1 and 2, FR3- Class III, FR4- Open bite and bimaxillary protrusion, FR5- High mandibular plane and
vertical maxillary excess.
BIOBLOCK
It was introduced by John Mew15 in 1979. He considered the possibility of anterior collapse as the cause for
crowding, just as the narrow dental arches. Hence the bio block encouraged the forward development of the
labial alveolus as well as expansion of the narrow maxilla.
CLASSIFICATION:
Appliances producing Pushing forces: These appliances deliver a push force vector forcing the attachment
points of the appliance away from one another.
1. Rigid: (Herbst Appliance and its modifications, Mandibular protraction appliance, Ritto appliance, Biopedic
appliance, Mandibular anterior repositioning appliance, Functional Mandibular Advancer)
2. Flexible: (Jasper Jumper, Scandee tubular jumper, Flex developer, Amoric torsion coils, Churro Jumper,
Adjustable Bite Corrector, Klapper Super Spring II, Forsus nitinol flat spring)
3. Hybrid : (Eureka spring, Forsus fatigue resistant device, Twin force bite corrector, Sabbagh universal spring)
Appliances Producing Pulling Force: These appliances act as a substitute for elastic and create a pulling force
vector between the points of attachment. Example- SAIF (Severable Adjustable intermaxillary Force) spring,
Alpern class II closers, Caliberated force module.
Commonly used Fixed functional appliances are- Herbst appliance, MARS appliance, Jasper Jumper, MARA,
Forsus Fatigue Resistant Device, Powerscope and Advansync.
HERBST APPLIANCE
It was introduced in Berlin in 1909 by Herbst. However it was not much in use until Pancherz18
resurrected the Herbst appliance in 1977.5 It consists of a bilateral telescopic mechanism attached to orthodontic
bands. Each telescopic mechanism consists of a tube, a plunger, two pivots and two locking screws that prevent
the telescoping parts from slipping past the pivots. It causes stimulation of mandibular growth, inhibition of
maxillary growth to a limited extent, distal movement of the upper dentition, mesial movement of the lower
dentition (proclination of the incisors).19,20
JASPER JUMPER
It was introduced by Jasper in 1987. It produces both sagittal and intrusive forces on the dentition. The
system consists of two parts – the force module and the anchor units. 22 Types of forces produced- Sagittal: It
distalizes the posterior anchor units and applies anterior force on the mandibular dentition. Intrusive: an
intrusive force acts on the maxillary posterior region and the mandibular anterior region. Buccal force: an
intrusive force acting along the buccal surface causes expansion.
ADVANSYNC
Developed by Terry Dischinger in 2010. It is a molar to molar fixed functional assembly. As the name
of the appliance suggests that mandible can be postured forward synchronously with the start of all other fixed
appliance tooth movements. The appliance requires no laboratory work. The appliance is almost half the size of
MiniScope Herbst appliance. It has the advantage of allowing concurrent treatment with preadjusted edgewise
appliances and therefore efficient normalization of the occlusion.27 The advansync appliance seems to shorten
total treatment time by combining the anterior posterior correction and fixed appliance phase.28
INTERARCH TRACTION
Interarch traction from the anterior part of the maxillary arch to the posterior part of the mandibular
arch is commonly referred to as Class II elastics. This results in protraction of the mandibular posteriors and
retraction of the maxillary anteriors. The vertical force leads to extrusion of the mandibular posterior teeth and
maxillary anterior teeth that causes rotation of the occlusal plane up posteriorly and down anteriorly. There is
also a transverse force that causes the mandibular molars to tip buccally.
Class II elastics is the term used to describe intraoral traction between points of attachments buccal to
the lower posteriors and labial to the upper anterior teeth. More specifically, it refers to any interarch elastic that
has its mandibular attachment more distal to that of the maxillary counterparts. The more distance between the
points of attachments, the more horizontal is the vector of force. There are two types of traction -Latex or
synthetic rubber, Metal alloy. Indications include cases which require anterior movement of the lower posteriors
and where rotation of the occlusal plane and extrusion of the maxillary anteriors is not detrimental to the
outcome. Most appropriate indication is a dental Class II with normal skeletal bases. It is beneficial to have
slightly retrusive mandibular incisors, protrusive and slightly intrusive maxillary anterior teeth with slight
constriction of the mandibular molars. At least some minimal mandibular growth potential with flat occlusal and
mandibular planes where an increase in lower face height is desired.29
V. Dental Camouflage
The goal of camouflage of a skeletal Class II is to disguise the unacceptable skeletal relationship by
orthodontically moving the teeth to get proper buccal occlusion and reduced overjet. The candidates for
camouflage would be adults or those in late adolescence who have little potential for growth.
VI. Conclusions
Class II malocclusions are of interest to the practicing orthodontists since they constitute a significant
percentage of the cases. Thus, it is evident to any orthodontist that various treatment options exist for a patient
who presents with a class II malocclusion. The key to success of treatment, is a thorough examination and
diagnosis as to find out where the fault in the development process has occurred and the proper management of
the same.
The possible etiology, severity, growth potential, individual variability, biomechanics used, patient
cooperation, and the retention plan are some of the variables that could influence the treatment results in patients
with Class II malocclusions. Among the various treatment options too, the number of appliances that an
orthodontist has to choose from is far too many. Treatment success with these appliances would be attained only
once he uses the appliance for the intent that it was made and by having a thorough knowledge of the modus
operandi. The clinician must also be aware of the limitations and the side effects of the appliance. By doing so,
we create a treatment option that is custom made to any Class II patient taking into account his age, gender and
the severity of malocclusion.
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