Treatment with functional appliances Flashcards
what are functional appliance?
> Variety of appliances which alter the sagittal and vertical position of the mandible (A-P position) (when worn by the patient)
> This repositioning generates muscular forces which result in orthodontic and possible orthopaedic changes
what are the 5 main functional appliances used and who developed them?
- Monobloc = Pierre Robin
- Activator = Andresen
- Bionator = Balters
- Functional Regulator = Frankel
- Clark Twin Block = Clark (most widely used)
what are the classifications of functional appliances
> Fixed functional appliances (common in some countries but not here)
> Removable functional appliances (most commonly used)
what are the most established fixed functional appliances?
- Herbst appliance
- “Fixed Twin Block”
what is a Herbst appliance?
> piston mechanism each side
> attached to fixed appliance (so functional and fixed at the same time)
what are the positives of a Herbst appliance?
> less cooperation required
> more effective??
> use simultaneously with FA
what are the negatives of a Herbst appliance?
> complex design
> time consuming to fit
> more frequent breakages
what are examples of removable appliances?
> Twin Block (Clark)
> Andresen activator (Andresen)
> MOA (medium open activator)
> Bionator (Balters)
> Dynamax (Bass)
> Functional regulator (Frankel)
what are the theoretical advantages of functional appliances?
> improve facial aesthetics
> correct dental relationship
> reduce the need for extractions
> reduce the time needed for fixed appliance therapy
> reduce chairside time
> reduce incidence of trauma
> reduce need for headgear
> removable = facilitates plaque control
what are the proven advantages of a functional appliance?
> do produce a clinically significant correction in the A-P dental relationship
> do provide efficient anchorage reinforcement prior to FA treatment
> allows for FT wear – thereby more effective than HG at correcting molar relationship
> can be used during mixed dentition phase
> can attach auxiliaries / expand upper arch etc
what are the disadvantages of a functional appliance?
> cannot produce detailed tooth movement
> do not produce a clinically significant effect on skeletal bases
> can cause excessive proclination of lower incisors
> may cause AOB in patients with increased LAFH / minimal OB
> demand high level of patient cooperation
what is the advantage of a twin block over other functional appliance?
> well tolerated (2 piece design)
> full-time wear possible
> eating possible (in theory)
> versatile appliance
eg. elastics / sectional FA
> expansion of upper arch possible
> can add headgear
> can add fixed appliance
> possible to secure CTB to FA
how do functional appliances work?
> The subject of varying opinion, but forces arising from the facial soft tissues are undoubtedly the source of the main tooth movements
what are the mode of actions of functional appliances?
> orthodontic effect - dentoalveolar
> orthopaedic effect - jaw growth ?
what are the dentoalveolar changes we see during functional appliances when trying to achieve a class 1 occlusion?
> Upper arch
- retroclination of upper incisors
- distal movement of upper molars
> Lower arch
- mesial movement of lower teeth, including lower incisors
- vertical movement of lower posterior teeth