Objective: To present and to evaluate the effectiveness of treatment with the Fränkel appliance on a growing child with Class III malocclusion.
Methods: We report the orthodontic treatment of a 6 year-old girl with Class III malocclusion. Clinical examination, facial and intraoral photographs, dental casts, orthopantomogram, lateral cephalogram and a three dimensional evaluation of girl’s face were taken at baseline (T0). The girl was treated with the Fränkel appliance type III. After 12 (T1) and after 24 (T2) months of treatment the facial appearance was assessed using a 3D laser scanner technique in order to evaluate treatment success. The facial scan of the girl was compared with an average facial shell, constructed using facial scans of 60 children. Differences of face morphology were assessed quantitatively and qualitatively. Palatal volume was measured at baseline (T0) and at T1 and T2.
Results: At baseline 3D analysis of the girl’s face showed a retrognathic midface and a prognathic chin with a slight deviation to the left compared to the average face. After 12 months of treatment a good occlusion was obtained. Proper lip seal, breathing through the nose, proper tongue function and posture were established. 3D soft tissue analysis showed a less retrognathic midface and correction of the chin deviation. The differences between the girl’s face and the average face decreased.
Conclusions: Early treatment of Class III malocclusion with the Fränkel appliance improved facial appearance as well as functional and morphological irregularities together with the space conditions of the oral cavity.