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CASE REPORT

Correction of a skeletal Class II malocclusion


with severe crowding by a specially designed
rapid maxillary expander
Honghong Wang,a Jing Feng,b Peijun Lu,a and Gang Shenc
Shanghai, China

To correct an Angle Class II malocclusion or to create spaces in the maxillary arch by nonextraction treatment,
distal movement of the maxillary molars is required. Various modalities for distalizing the buccal segment have
been reported. Conventional extraoral appliances can be used to obtain maximum anchorage. However, many
patients reject headgear wear because of social and esthetic concerns, and the success of this treatment de-
pends on patient compliance. Intraoral appliances, such as repelling magnets, nickel-titanium coils, pendulum
appliance, Jones jig appliance, distal jet appliance, and modified Nance appliance, have been introduced to dis-
talize the molars with little or no patient cooperation. However, intraoral appliances can result in anchorage loss
of the anterior teeth and distal tipping of the maxillary molars. In this case report, we introduce a diversified rapid
maxillary expansion appliance that was custom designed and fabricated for the treatment of a growing girl with a
skeletal Class II malocclusion and severe crowding from a totally lingually positioned lateral incisor. The appli-
ance concomitantly expanded the maxilla transversely and retracted the buccal segment sagittally, distalizing
the maxillary molars to reach a Class I relationship and creating the spaces to displace the malpositioned lateral
incisor. The uniqueness of this special diversified rapid maxillary expansion appliance was highlighted by a se-
ries of reconstructions and modifications at different stages of the treatment to reinforce the anchorage. (Am J
Orthod Dentofacial Orthop 2015;147:242-51)

T
o correct an Angle Class II malocclusion or to nickel-titanium coils,3 the pendulum appliance,4,5 the
create spaces in the maxillary arch by nonextrac- Jones jig appliance,6 the distal jet appliance,7 and the
tion treatment, distalization of the maxillary mo- modified Nance appliance,8 have been introduced to
lars is an alternative treatment approach. Various distalize molars with little or no patient cooperation.
modalities in distalizing the buccal segment have been However, intraoral appliances can result in anchorage
reported. Conventional extraoral appliances can be loss of the anterior teeth and distal tipping of the maxil-
used to obtain maximum anchorage. However, many lary molars.9
patients reject headgear wear because of social and In this case report, we introduce a diversified rapid
esthetic concerns, and the success of this treatment maxillary expander appliance (DRME) that was custom
depends on patient compliance.1 Beginning in the designed and fabricated for the treatment of a girl
1980s, intraoral appliances, such as repelling magnets,2 with a skeletal Class II malocclusion and severe crowding
from a totally lingually positioned lateral incisor. The
From the Department of Orthodontics, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, appliance concomitantly expanded the maxilla trans-
Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China. versely and retruded the buccal segment sagittally,
a
Postgraduate student.
b distalizing the maxillary molars to reach a Class I rela-
Assistant professor.
c
Chair. tionship and creating the spaces to align the remaining
All authors have completed and submitted the ICMJE Form for Disclosure of Po- maxillary dentition. The uniqueness of this special
tential Conflicts of Interest, and none were reported.
DRME was highlighted by a series of reconstructions
Financial support from the National Natural Science Foundation of China, grant
no. 81271182. and modifications at different stages of the therapy to
Address correspondence to: Gang Shen, Department of Orthodontics, Shanghai reinforce the anchorage.
Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China; e-mail,
orthoshengang@gmail.com.
Submitted, November 2013; revised and accepted, December 2013. DIAGNOSIS AND ETIOLOGY
0889-5406/$36.00
Copyright Ó 2015 by the American Association of Orthodontists. The patient was an 11-year-old Chinese girl with a
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ajodo.2013.12.032 chief complaint of crooked teeth. The initial clinical
242
Wang et al 243

Fig 1. Pretreatment extraoral and intraoral photographs showing an acceptable facial appearance, a
Class II molar relationship, and a lingually positioned maxillary right lateral incisor.

examination showed a slightly retrusive mandible with that might have caused an obtuse nasolabial angle. An
an obtuse nasolabial angle and an increased labiomental inspection of skeletal maturation by the cervical verte-
fold (Fig 1). brae suggested considerable growth potential. The
The intraoral examination and study casts exhibited panoramic radiograph showed that both maxillary
half-step Class II molar relationships on both sides. second molars were under development, and the tooth
The maxillary right lateral incisor was completely pala- buds of the maxillary third molars did not exist. Further-
tally positioned (Fig 2). The maxillary midline was more, no pathologic lesions, unusual root formations, or
4.0 mm off to the right of the facial midline, and the deformities of the maxillary right central or lateral inci-
mandibular midline was symmetrically correct. Crowd- sors were identified with cone-beam computed tomog-
ing in the maxilla was severe as a result of an ectopically raphy (Fig 4).
placed right lateral incisor, whereas crowding in the
mandible was mild. The maxilla was constricted, and a
crossbite relationship was also noted in the left premolar TREATMENT OBJECTIVES
area. Study cast analysis showed an overbite of 3.0 mm The treatment objectives for this patient were to (1)
and an overjet of 2.5 mm. relieve crowding by bringing the palatally positioned
The lateral cephalometric analysis showed a Class II lateral incisor into alignment, (2) correct the skeletal
skeletal base (ANB, 5.7 ) with a protrusive maxilla Class II, (3) restore a satisfactory occlusion with Class I
(SNA, 86.5 ), and an average mandibular plane angle molar and canine relationships, (4) correct the shifted
(FMA, 32.8 ) (Fig 3, Table). The U1-SN angle of 103.7 midline, (5) create ideal overbite and overjet, and (6)
indicated a retroclined tendency of the maxillary incisors improve the facial esthetics.

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244 Wang et al

Fig 2. Pretreatment study casts depicting the severity of crowding resulting from the malpositioned
maxillary right lateral incisor.

Fig 3. Pretreatment cephalogram and panoramic radiograph.

TREATMENT ALTERNATIVES not erupted, indicating that the timing for molar distal-
This preteen patient had adequate growth potential, ization might be an acceptable treatment modality. A
with an acceptable profile but with a retroclined maxil- nonextraction treatment plan was therefore proposed.
lary anterior dentition. A maxillary lateral incisor was The first step was orthopedic treatment with a specially
palatally positioned, but there were no signs of defects designed DRME (Fig 5). This appliance was designed
in the overlapping areas between the adjacent dentition to expand the maxillary arch and distalize the maxillary
(Fig 4). Furthermore, the maxillary second molars were molars simultaneously to create spaces for crowding

February 2015  Vol 147  Issue 2 American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics
Wang et al 245

teeth. Seven months into the treatment, 5 mm of expan-


Table. Cephalometric data
sion and 4 mm of distalization were obtained (Fig 7). At
Norm Pretreatment Posttreatment Change the same time, the maxillary anterior teeth were also
SNA ( ) 82.0 6 3.5 86.5 84.3 2.2 aligned, the midline deviation was corrected, and a Class
SNB ( ) 77.7 6 3.2 80.8 81.5 0.7 I molar relationship on both sides was achieved.
SN-MP ( ) 32.9 6 5.2 31.7 32.7 1.0
The DRME was modified 7 months after the active
FMA ( ) 29.2 6 4.5 32.8 29.8 3.0
ANB ( ) 4.0 6 1.8 5.7 2.8 2.9 treatment followed by 2 months of retention (Fig 8,
U1-NA (mm) 4.3 6 2.7 2.6 6.3 3.7 A). The DRME was debonded and sent to the laboratory
U1-SN ( ) 103.4 6 5.5 103.7 107.3 3.6 for reconstruction: the casting crowns covering the sec-
L1-NB (mm) 4.0 6 1.8 5.3 8.0 2.7 ond premolars were removed so that we could proceed
IMPA ( ) 95.0 6 7.0 94.1 101.3 7.2
with distalization of the second premolars. The separate
Lower lip to 2.0 6 2.0 0.4 1.1 0.7
E-plane (mm) acrylic bases for the molars were fused together. The
Upper lip to 1.3 6 2.0 0.4 0.2 0.6 modified DRME was rebonded to the maxilla and served
E-plane (mm) as a strong anchorage similar to a Nance appliance. At
the same time, the second premolars were distalized,
relief and restoration of the molar relationship. The sec- and brackets were bonded in the mandibular arch.
ond step was orthodontic treatment with fixed appli- When the second premolars were distalized to touch
ances to improve the buccal interdigitation and the first molars, the DRME was debonded again for a
establish a proper incisal relationship. Microimplant second modification, which was conducted by removing
anchorage devices (MIAs) could be applied in the maxilla the anterior part of the DRME, so that it worked as a
to retract the frontal segment because the frontal transpalatal arch to consolidate the distalized first mo-
anchorage might be partially lost as a result of buccal lars (Fig 8, B).
segmental distalization. Sixteen months after the start of treatment, overjet
In the maxillary arch, by moving the buccal dentition increased. This might have been partly because of the
posteriorly, the maxillary left quadrant was to be distal- unavoidable partial loss of anchorage in the frontal
ized for midline correction, and crowding of the right segment against the buccal distalization, and partly
quadrant was to be relieved. In the mandibular arch, because of the eruptions of the maxillary second molars
mild crowding was to be relieved by expansion with that pushed the anterior teeth forward. To retract the
broad archwires, whereas the sagittal position of the maxillary front teeth backward, 2 MIAs (1.6 3 11 mm;
anterior teeth would remain to prevent further deep- Cibei, Ningbo, China) were placed between the maxillary
ening of the labiomental fold. second premolar and first molar to enhance the retrac-
Over the whole course of orthopedic treatment, the tion (Fig 9). Hawley retainers were prescribed upon
adaptive modifications to the DRME would remain a completion of active treatment.
constant endeavor to secure the frontal segment
anchorage against the buccal distalization and vice TREATMENT RESULTS
versa. Severe crowding that resulted from the correction of
the lingually positioned maxillary right lateral incisor
TREATMENT PROGRESS (Fig 10) was relieved. The dental midline deviation was
The treatment began with the placement of the corrected to become consistent with the facial midline.
DRME. The device consisted of 3 expansion screws and The posterior occlusal interdigitation was improved,
4 separate acrylic bases. The transverse expansion screw and Class I canine and molar relationships on both sides
was used to expand the maxillary arch, and 2 sagittal were also achieved. Ideal overbite and overjet relation-
expansion screws distalized the maxillary first molars. ships were restored (Fig 11).
The first and second premolars were covered with a cast- The cephalometric analysis and superimposition are
ing splint (Fig 5). The activation protocol for the 3 shown in Figures 12 and 13 and the Table. The overall
expansion screws was 1 turn every other day. After superimposition indicated that the patient's Class II skel-
3 months, interproximal spaces of 3 mm on both sides etal base changed to Class I. The regional superimposi-
were obtained between the second premolars and the tions demonstrated that in the maxilla, the incisors
first molars (Fig 6). Preadjusted 0.022-in brackets (Shi- were proclined about 3 , and the maxillary molars
nye, Hangzhou, China) were bonded to the maxillary were distalized 4 mm on both sides; in the mandible,
anterior teeth, and a 0.012-in nickel-titanium wire was the incisors were proclined about 7 , and the molars re-
engaged for prompt alignment of the maxillary front mained unchanged. Model analysis showed that the

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246 Wang et al

Fig 4. Cone-beam computed tomography image identifying the position of the maxillary right lateral
incisor and its proximity to adjacent teeth.

appearance10 or undesirable intermittent forces, and


they do not depend on patient cooperation.11 In addi-
tion, palatal-acting appliances consistently show less
tipping for all teeth than do buccal-acting appli-
ances.12-14 A possible reason for this is that the
moment arm of the force produced by palatally acting
appliances is smaller because its line of action is closer
to the center of resistance of the specific tooth.15
In this case, the specially designed DRME is a palatal-
acting appliance that facilitated displacement of the
maxillary teeth in 3 dimensions.
In the transverse plane, the width of the maxilla was
Fig 5. The specially designed DRME featuring the diver- enlarged through the rapid maxillary expansion mecha-
sified transverse expansion and the sagittal distalizing nism. The spaces created by maxillary expansion were
mechanism. mainly used to align the anterior teeth, especially the
maxillary right lateral incisor, which required consider-
able space to be labialized. In the transverse plane, rota-
intercanine, interpremolar, and intermolar widths tion of the maxillary first molars and premolars did not
increased by 1.2, 2.4, and 2.7 mm, respectively. The occur, a favorable phenomenon possibly attributed to
maxillary dental length, which was measured as a linear the expanding force coupled with the distalizing one
distance between the central incisors and the against the concerned buccal teeth.
second molars, increased by 4.3 mm. The patient's facial In the vertical plane, a previous study showed that
esthetics were also improved. vertical movements were also present, and extrusions
of the incisors and premolars were observed with
DISCUSSION noncompliance intramaxillary appliances.15 However,
Distalization of the maxillary molars is often attemp- in this patient, extrusion of the incisors, premolars,
ted in the correction of a Class II malocclusion. It has been and first molars was not evident. This might have been
demonstrated clearly that for molar distalization, intrao- due to the overall coverage of the casting frame to the
ral appliances are more effective and acceptable than ex- dentition that might have prevented any vertical move-
traoral devices because they do not have an unesthetic ment of individual teeth. The timing of the molar

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Wang et al 247

Fig 6. Three months into treatment: effective expansion and distalized molars.

Fig 7. Seven months into treatment: further transverse expansion and molar distalization.

Fig 8. The adaptive reconstructions of the DRME: A, the casting coverages to the second premolars
were removed, and the posterior parts of the acrylic bases were fused to distalize the second premo-
lars; B, the anterior part of the DRME was removed, and the posterior one remained to retract the maxil-
lary labial segment.

distalization in this patient could also have been a factor. popular palatal appliances. Although distal movement
According to Kinzinger et al,16 the side effects—eg, of the molars takes place remarkably, an adverse reaction
tipping and extrusion—can be prevented or minimized of mesialization of the premolars of 1 to 2.5 mm and
in molar distalization with a favorable developmental labial tipping of maxillary the incisors of 1.7 to 3.3
status of the second molars, if their root formations can occur.4,16-21 Therefore, on average, 55% to 80%
are far from total completion. of the space obtained comes from distalization of the
In the sagittal plane, it has been reported that molars and 20% to 45% from mesialization of the
noncompliance intramaxillary molar distalization appli- premolars and labial tipping of the incisors. In this
ances produce distal molar movement, which is a combi- patient, the anchorage against molar distalization was
nation of distal crown movement and tipping, with a increased as a result of the unique design of the
concomitant and unavoidable loss of anchorage.15 DRME, where the casting coverage of all premolars
Anchorage loss is observed through premolar mesial and the acrylic base on an increased area of the palate
movement and incisor mesial crown and tipping move- secured the anchorage rigidly. The anchorage control
ments. The pendulum appliance is one of the most was further indicated by cast measurement, which

American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics February 2015  Vol 147  Issue 2
248 Wang et al

Fig 9. MIAs were placed to enhance the anchorage for retraction of the maxillary labial segment.

Fig 10. Posttreatment extraoral and intraoral photographs showing an improved facial appearance,
and correction of the malpositioned maxillary right lateral incisor and the Class II molar relationship.

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Wang et al 249

Fig 11. Posttreatment study casts.

Fig 12. Posttreatment cephalogram and panoramic radiograph.

showed distal movement of the molars of 4 mm and anchorage loss in the labial segment. The proclination
distal tipping of 1.7 , and mesial movement of the of the maxillary incisors to some extent in this patient,
premolars of 0.4 mm and mesial tipping of 0.1 . Using however, was favorable because it allowed not only for
the Nance appliance, Antonarakis and Kiliaridis15 re- the labial segment alignment, but also for the correction
ported molar distalization of 3.1 mm with 3.6 of distal of the originally retroclined maxillary incisors. Undeni-
tipping, and premolar mesialization of 1.3 mm with 0.1 ably, anchorage loss in this patient on the maxillary
of mesial tipping. The maxillary incisors, on the other anterior teeth occurred during distalization of the maxil-
hand, demonstrated 3.6 of labial tipping and 1.1 mm lary first molars because the DRME was a tooth-and-tis-
of labial movement, indicating a certain degree of sue–supported appliance rather than a bone-supported

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250 Wang et al

Fig 13. Posttreatment cephalometric superimpositions. The overall superimposition shows a skeletal
base change from Class II to Class I; the regional superimpositions show appropriate proclinations of
the maxillary and mandibular segments and correction of the molar relationship.

one. Several types of MIAs have been used in the palate loss in the first molars. The second modification, on the
in conjunction with molar distalizing devices to provide other hand, where the whole anterior part of the DRME
better anchorage, thus presumably reducing the unde- was removed and the posterior part remained as a rigid
sired side effects to the anterior dentition in the maxil- transpalatal arch (Fig 8, B), was designed to better
lary arch.22-24 In this case, MIAs were placed at the retract the maxillary labial segment without sacrificing
later stage in the posterior buccal alveolar bone as the anchorage in the buccal segment. The phasic modi-
reinforcement of anchorage against the retraction of fications and reconstructions of the DRME in this study
the maxillary labial segment. may become a new protocol for stabilization of the
Upon the successful molar distalization and creation already distalized molars and therefore secure the effi-
of spaces, it always remains a difficult and critical task to ciency of the premolar distalization and the subsequent
distalize the premolars and then to retract the maxillary retraction of the maxillary front teeth.
labial segment without a substantial loss of anchorage To treat this patient without extractions, a significant
burdened on the already distalized molars. One common amount of maxillary molar distalization was critical. The
clinical observation is that some posterior anchorage loss timing of the molar displacement, as mentioned earlier,
is visible when retraction of the anterior teeth is carried might have played a role. A favorable time to move mo-
out in the second phase of treatment. In our patient, the lars distally appears to be in the mixed dentition before
constant design modifications and laboratory recon- the eruption of the second molars.25 Kinzinger et al16
structions of the DRME were implemented to reinforce suggested that the best time to start therapy with a
the anchorage sustainability from the distalized molars. pendulum appliance is before the eruption of the
The first modification, where the casting coverage to the second molars in young patients. They also suggested
second premolars was removed and the posterior parts of that if distalization of the first and second molars is
the separated acrylic bases were merged (Fig 8, A), aimed considered, enucleation of the third molar tooth buds
to better distalize the premolars at no cost of anchorage should be conducted simultaneously. Karlsson and

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Wang et al 251

Bondemark9 found that intraoral movement of the 7. Carano A, Testa M. The distal jet for upper molar distalization. J
maxillary first molars before eruption of the maxillary Clin Orthod 1996;30:374-80.
8. Puente M. Class II correction with an edgewise-modified Nance
second molars results in more effective molar movement
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and less anchorage loss than after eruption of the 9. Karlsson I, Bondemark L. Intraoral maxillary molar distalization.
second molars. In this patient, a careful inspection of Angle Orthod 2006;76:923-9.
the panoramic radiograph showed the developmental 10. Bondemark L, Karlsson I. Extraoral vs intraoral appliance for distal
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Angle Orthod 2005;75:699-706.
initial formation of the roots (Fig 3), suggesting good
11. McLaughlin RP, Bennett JC. Anchorage control during leveling
timing for molar distalization. and aligning with a preadjusted appliance system. J Clin Orthod
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CONCLUSIONS 12. Sayinsu K, Isik F, Allaf F, Arun T. Unilateral molar distalization with
a modified slider. Eur J Orthod 2006;28:361-5.
A specially designed intraoral orthopedic appliance, 13. Ferguson DJ, Carano A, Bowman SJ, Davis EC, Gutierrez Vega ME,
the DRME, featuring transverse expansion and sagittal Lee SH. A comparison of two maxillary molar distalizing appliances
distalization mechanisms, was used to treat a growing with the distal jet. World J Orthod 2005;6:382-90.
patient diagnosed with a skeletal Class II base with severe 14. Bondemark L. A comparative analysis of distal maxillary molar
movement produced by a new lingual intra-arch Ni-Ti coil appli-
crowding. The concomitant and diversified orthopedic ance and a magnetic appliance. Eur J Orthod 2000;22:683-95.
forces contributed to creating spaces for relief of crowd- 15. Antonarakis GS, Kiliaridis S. Maxillary molar distalization with
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ACKNOWLEDGMENT
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