Extractive orthopaedic treatment to compensate for skeletal Class III in preadolescents

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of extractive or- thopaedic orthodontic treatment in mixed late denti- tion in two female patients presenting Class III mal- occlusion and hyperdivergent facial types due to maxillary retrusion. Materials and Methods: The or- thopaedic phase, carried out using posteroanterior extraoral traction combined with rapid palatal ex- panders, was followed by extraction of four premo- lars and application of bidimensional technique fixed appliances (Boston University). Results: We achieved functional and aesthetic improvement via normalisa- tion of the transversal dimensions and a sagittal in- crease in the maxilla while maintaining vertical sta- bility. The extractions permitted resolution of the crowding problem and normalisation of the overbite and overjet, and Class I molar and canine occlusion was achieved. Conclusions: Timely intervention and exploitation of extractive space to compensate for skeletal alterations using only orthopaedic orthodon- tic treatment can allow achievement of excellent re- sults.