Orthopaedic protraction of the maxilla with miniplates: treatment of midface deficiency

Class III malocclusion is a consequence of maxillary deficiency and/or mandibular prognathism, resulting in an anterior crossbite and a concave profile. Early class III malocclusion treatment with reverse pull headgear generally results in maxillary skeletal protraction but is frequently also accompanied by unfavourable dentoalveolar effects. Titanium miniplates used as temporary anchorage device might permit equivalent favourable skeletal changes without unwanted dentoalveolar effects. We report two cases having class III malocclusion with maxillary deficiency treated by using titanium miniplates. Cephalometric tracings were done pre and post treatment to determine the anatomic changes during the course of treatment.