List of Orthodontic Functional Appliances

This is a comprehensive list of functional appliances that are used in the field of Orthodontics. The functional appliances can be divided into fixed and removable. The fixed functional appliances have to be bonded to the teeth by an Orthodontist in his practice. A removable functional appliance does not need to be bonded on the teeth and can be removed by the patient. A removal appliance is usually used by patients who have high degree of compliance with their orthodontic treatment. Patients whose compliance is decreased and may not respond to a functional appliance therapy, a fixed appliance is indicated.

Both fixed and removable functional appliances can be used to correct a malocclusion in 3 planes of spaces: Anterior-Posterior, Vertical and Transverse. In the Anterior-Posterior dimension, appliances such as Class II and Class III are used. Appliances used in transverse dimension are utilized to expand either the maxillary or the mandibular arch. Appliances used in vertical dimension are used to correct open or deep bite.[1][2]

History

It is important to note that the dento-facial Orthopedics was mainly done in Europe initially as United States was introduced to Fixed Orthodontics by Edward Angle. Norman William Kingsley was the first person to show "jumping the bite" by using an anterior bite plate. Hotz then developed the Vorbissplate which was modification of Kingsley's plate. Wilhelm Roux is credited to be the first person who studied the effects of functional forces on Orthodontics in 1883. His workings were used by other dentists in future to study the dental orthopedics. His teachings became known as Roux Hypothesis, which Karl Haupl later expanded. Monobloc developed by Pierre Robin (surgeon) in 1902 is considered to be one of the first functional appliances in Orthodontics. The Monobloc was a modification of Ottolengui’s removable plate. In 1908, Viggo Andersen developed the Activator appliance. This was the first functional appliance to be widely accepted, especially in Europe. This appliance became the "Norwegian" system of treatment in Orthodontics in early 1900s.

In addition, in 1905 the Herbst Appliance was introduced by Emil Herbst. This appliance did not go through much evolution until the 1970s when Hans Pancherz revived interest in this appliance. In 1950s, Wilhem Balters modified Andersen's Activator appliance and gave the new appliance the name Bionator Appliance which was designed to produce forward positioning of the mandible. Positioner Appliance was developed by Harold Kesling in 1944 in order to aid the Orthodontic treatment during the finishing stage. The Frankel Appliance were developed by Rolf Frankel in 1957 for treatment of Class I, II, III Malocclusions . William Clark also developed Twin Block Appliance in 1978 which resembled Artur Martin Schwarz double plates that he developed in 1950s.

Fixed Appliances

Distalization Appliances

Class II Appliances

Class III Appliances

Intrusion Appliances

Mesialization Appliances

Vertical Dimension Appliances

Removable Appliances

Components

Some of the components of removal appliances are retentive in nature. They are usually connecting by a acrylic component known as baseplate. Majority of the appliances include components such as Labial Bow and Adams Clasp which are passive in nature. Labial bow is a wire attached to the baseplate which goes around the incisor teeth to provide retention of the those teeth. Labial bow usually have U-Loops at the end to allow it to activate more. Adams clasps are used for retention of these removable appliances and are usually fabricated in the molar areas. They are made up of 0.7mm stainless steel wire. Removal of the appliance is usually performed by holding the bridge of this clasp. Other clasps that are usually used are Southend Clasp, Ball-ended clasp and Plint clasp.

Active components of removable appliances include springs which provides light forces on a tooth to move it orthodontically. Components such as Palatal Finger Springs, Buccal Canine Retractor, Z-Spring, T-Spring, Coffin Spring, Active Labial Bows (Mill's Bow or Roberts retractor), Screws and Elastics are all considered to be active components of the removable functional appliances.

Class II Appliances

Class III Appliances

Transverse Appliances

Distalization Appliances

Orthodontic/Deprogramming Splints

See Also

References

  1. Graber, T. M.; Swain, B. F., eds. (1984-12-01). Orthodontics: Current Principles and Techniques (2nd ed.). Mosby. ISBN 9780801619663.
  2. Contemporary Orthodontics, 5e (5 ed.). Mosby. 2012-04-16. ISBN 9780323083171.
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