Using Functional Education Appliance on One Patient with Class III Malocclusion in Mixed Dentition: A Case Report.

Background/objective: Class III malocclusion is a relatively common clinical problem among Asian patients, which is caused by skeletal discrepancies and involves complex factors. In growing patients, early intervention with myofunctional appliances can help correct jaw relationships more effectively. This case report presents the use of prefabricated myofunctional appliances (EF and MRC) to address Class III malocclusion through growth modification.

Case description: A 9-year-old girl was diagnosed with skeletal Class III and a complete anterior crossbite. She underwent treatment with the prefabricated myofunctional appliances, worn during sleep and an additional two hours during the day for 51 months. The outcomes resulted from a combination of skeletal and dental changes, including a decrease in skeletal discrepancy (ANB: -5° to -2°), upper incisor proclination (U1 to SN: 112.5° to 123°), uprighting of the lower incisor (L1 to MP: 93.5° to 90°), and an increase in cranial flexure angle (123° to 125°) with a vertical mandibular growth pattern. The treatment improved facial profile, reduced skeletal discrepancy, corrected the anterior crossbite, and enhanced interdigitation.

Conclusions: Prefabricated myofunctional appliances are effective options for managing skeletal Class III malocclusion in pediatric patients with vertical mandibular growth patterns, producing favorable skeletal and dentoalveolar changes.