Non-extraction treatment of Class III malocclusion with maxillary retrusion by Tip-Edge Plus technique

Objective To evaluate the skeletal,dental and soft-tissue remodeling effects of Tip-Edge Plus appliance in early Class Ⅲ subjects with maxillary retrusion.Methods 9 Class Ⅲ patients with maxillary retrusion,distal molar relationship and no functional shift to edge-to-edge incisors (5 boys and 4 girls,mean age 12.2 years) were selected.All patients were non-extraction cases and treated with Tip-Edge Plus appliance.Cephalometric analysis was performed to evaluate the hard tissue and soft tissue changes and paired t-test was used to determine the differences between before and after treatment.Results The average treatment duration was 17 months.After treatment,SNA average increased by 2.5°(P=0.001),ANB changed from-2.0°±0.5° to 1.1± 0.6° (P=0.000) and Wits changed from (-2.7±0.9) mm to (1.1±1.1) mm (P=0.000).A remarkable facial profile changes was observed after the treatment.FCA changed from 2.7°± 1.6° to 7.1°± 2.3° (P =0.000).Conclusions Successful treatment outcomes could be obtained with non-extraction treatment inearly Class Ⅲ malocclusion with maxillary retrusionby Tip-Edge Plus technique.Anterior crossbite could be corrected fast and effectively.Hard tissue structures and facial profile could be improved. Key words: Orthodontic appliances;  Malocclusion;  Angle Class Ⅲ;  Straight-wire appliances