Elastodontic appliance assisted fixed appliance treatment: A new two-phase protocol for extraction cases

Abstract

Elastodontic appliance (EA) is a type of removable appliance that has been widely used in interceptive orthodontics. The present case report describes a severe crowding case treated with a new two-phase protocol by using an EA and a fixed appliance. A 13-year-old patient with severe dental crowding, increased overjet and overbite on a skeletal Class II base was selected. The patient had four bicuspids extracted; during the first phase of treatment, she wore the EA for 2 h during the daytime plus overnight, combined with a myofunctional exercise. During the second phase of treatment, a fixed appliance was employed to close residual space and improve the teeth angulations. The total treatment time was 14 months, of which the second phase with fixed appliance lasted 10 months. Satisfactory improvements of the overjet and teeth alignment were achieved. This case report used a new two-phase treatment protocol which resulted in a favourable outcome after comparatively short treatment.

The Efficacy of a New AMCOP® Elastodontic Protocol for Orthodontic Interceptive Treatment: A Case Series and Literature Overview

“…The scientific literature evidences the resolution or improvement of the basal second class with augmented overjet and deep bite malocclusion since they stimulate mandibular growth and protrusion, retrusion of the upper incisors, protrusion of the lower incisors, improvement of molar relationship [ 12 , 29 , 42 , 43 ]. Such devices can be used in association with fixed orthodontic appliances in every age since it shows a reduction of treatment times and contributes to creating an ideal arch form [ 44 ]. Another interesting use of elastodontic devices is the finishing of the dental occlusion in the final phase of orthodontic treatment.…”

“…They also allow preventing malocclusion such as crowding, spacing, rotations, overjet, overbite, second class molar relationship and temporomandibular dysfunction [ 34 ]. However, elastodontic devices can be used in every age in accordance with the treatment needed (e.g., adults finishing) or as support appliance after fixed orthodontic treatment [ 44 ].…”

“…In the first phase, an elastodontic appliance for the treatment of anterior crowding, overjet and overbite, coordination of arches and for a normal occlusion was used. In the second phase, after the extraction of bicuspid teeth, the fixed appliance was placed to close residual space and improve teeth angulations [ 44 ].…”

“…Moreover, a good alignment of the incisors was observed in 98% of the treated children. This alignment was possible because the eruption guidance appliance was designed to solve crowding by expanding the dental arches [ 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 , 39 , 40 , 41 , 42 , 43 , 44 , 45 , 46 , 47 , 48 , 49 , 50 , 51 , 52 , 53 , 54 , 55 , 56 , 57 , 58 , 59 , 60 , 61 , 62 , 63 , 64 , 65 , 66 , 67 , 68 , 69 , 70 , 71 , 72 , 73 , 74 , 75 , 76 , 77 ]. It was concluded that the Fränkel group, the EGA group and the EGA subgroup had significantly greater resorption than the control group.…”

Cephalometric effects of the elastodontic appliance in managing skeletal Class II division 1 cases

“…[10][11][12]14,16,17 The myofunctional effects induced by the appliance reduce the overjet and manage the sagittal correction, and so increase neuromuscular balance. 18 Although the effects of the appliance are largely reported to be dentoalveolar, 19 significant skeletal changes have been described. 10,11,14 Therefore, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the cephalometric effects of EA treatment of Class II/1 growing patients, compared to an untreated Class II/1 sample.…”