Treatment of Class III malocclusion using l-shaped miniplate assisted skeletally anchored facemask therapy - A...

Miniplates are routinely employed as an integral component of skeletally anchored facemask therapy for correction of growing Class III malocclusions. However, challenges are often encountered with the conventionally used I-shaped miniplates which include the possibility of soft tissue overgrowth over the unfavourably bent distal extension or cut end of hole of miniplate and slippage of elastics from improperly directed cut end of circular head. Present work describes novel application of l-shaped miniplate at lateral nasal wall of maxilla for accomplishing effective maxillary protraction, wherein the need for bending the distal extension of the I-shaped miniplates was altogether obviated. l-shaped miniplates offers advantages of superior mechanical stability, better mechanical distribution of anchorage, reduced risk of plate loosening and negligible possibility of post-surgical soft-tissue coverage. From a biological and biomechanical standpoint, l-shaped miniplate can offer a viable alternative to I-shaped miniplate for effecting maxillary protraction in Class III malocclusions with negligible complications.