Facemask and Rapid Maxillary Expansion With Alternative Rapid Maxillary Expansion and Constriction Protocol in the Management of Skeletal Class III Malocclusion

The correction of skeletal class III malocclusions is one of the most difficult orthodontic treatments. Skeletal Class III malocclusion may result from a combination of maxillary deficits and mandibular prognathism, mandibular prognathism alone, or maxillary deficits alone. Treatment options include an orthopedic appliance (facemask and chin cup), orthodontics with camouflage, a combination of orthognathic surgery and orthodontics, and the recently introduced bone-anchored maxillary protraction. This case report describes the treatment of a young, growing patient with a retrognathic maxilla using Hyrax with an acrylic splint using the alternative rapid maxillary expansion and constriction protocol and a Petite type facemask.