PROF. DR. ELIAS KATZVIAS Ortopedia Maxilar Prof. Dept. of Orthodontics University of Greece Member AAO. WFO Congreso Euro-Americano de Ortopedia Dentofacial AMOM 2001 Nov. 29-Dic 2 Ixtapa México Grecia AMOM

Factors affecting the successful use of functional orthopedic appliances

Class II orthodontic anomalies are not a homogeneous morphological group and thus, the choice of treatment should be based on their specific morphological characteristics.

Functional orthopedic appliances can successfully treat only a certain portion of the Class II population. This success in their use is mainly dependent on appropriate case selection. Class II cases that are suitable for treatment with functional appliances are those where vertical facial components are underdeveloped to normal. In other words, suitable are those cases where the Class II relationship is a limited to a pure anteroposterior [i.e. sagittal] discrepancy.

However, even in meeting these selection criteria one should not assume that these cases are automatically suitable and ready for starting their treatment with functional appliances. Equally important factor is to test the occlusion and assess tolerance for the planned mandibular propulsion.

In this presentation several clinical examples will be systematically presented, to demonstrate the logical steps, indicating when and how functional appliances can be used in order to achieve the desired resolution of the malocclusion and achieve stable treatment results.