Comparison of the effects of conventional facemask, palatal mini-screw–supported facemask, and symphysis plate–supported intermaxillary elastic treatments in skeletal Class III patients during the growth and development period

Aim: This study aimed to retrospectively evaluate and compare the skeletal, dentoalveoler, and soft tissue effects of conventional facemask (FM), palatal miniscrew-supported facemask (PSFM), and symphyseal plate-supported intermaxillary elastic (SPE) treatments in growing patients with skeletal Class III malocclusion using lateral cephalometric radiographs. Materials and Methods: Archived records of skeletal Class III patients treated with FM, PSFM, and MPE at the Department of Orthodontics, Faculty of Dentistry, İnönü University were retrospectively reviewed. Forty-five patients who met the inclusion criteria were allocated into three groups: FM (n=15), PSFM (n=15), and SPE (n=15). Pretreatment (T0) and posttreatment (T1) lateral cephalometric radiographs were analyzed with Nemoceph software to assess skeletal, dentoalveoler, and soft tissue changes. Results: Significant sagittal improvement was observed in all groups. Vertical changes were less pronounced in the PSFM group. Maxillary incisor proclination was lower in the PSFM group, whereas mandibular incisor retroclination was less evident in the MPE group. Intergroup comparisons showed that sagittal improvement was greater in the PSFM group, while vertical changes were more pronounced in the FM and SPE groups. Conclusion: All protocols were effective in improving the sagittal skeletal relationship in growing patients with skeletal Class III malocclusion. PSFM provided greater skeletal maxillary protraction, fewer dentoalveoler side effects, and better vertical control, whereas SPE minimized lower incisor side effects and produced more evident positional and rotational mandibular changes. Thus skeletal pattern, vertical pattern, and potential dentoalveoler side effects should be considered during treatment planning. Keywords: Skeletal Class III malocclusion, mini screw anchored facemask, symphysis plate anchored intermaxillary elastics, lateral cephalometry.