Functional appliances

Question 1

What is a functional appliance?

Answer 1

A removable of fixed appliance which alters the posture of the mandible, causing stretching of the facial soft tissues to produce a combination of dental and skeletal changes

Question 2

What malocclusion are functional appliances mostly used in?

Answer 2

Class 2 Division 1

Question 3

When are functional appliances typically used? Give 4 reasons:

Answer 3

1. Used in growing patients
2. Usually followed by fixed appliances
3. Used in the late mixed dentition
4. Difficult to wear - need a lot of encouragement

Question 4

What is the most popular design for a functional appliance?

Answer 4

Twinblock

Question 5

List 3 advantages and 3 disadvantages of using a functional appliance:

Answer 5

Advantages:
1. 2-piece design is well tolerated
2. Can be adjusted and modified
3. Rapid treatment changes

Disadvantages:
1. Can increase the lower facial height
2. Lateral open bites
3. Lower incisor proclination

Question 6

What is the desired height (mm) and slope (degrees) of the blocks in the Twinblock design?

Answer 6

Height = 7-8mm
Slope = 70 degrees