I am close to completing a dental appliance which seeks to correct occlusal canting (and possibly hemi-facial asymmetry) in a non-invasive fashion. Figured I'd share my project, and thought continuous updates will keep me motivated.
So to start off ill explain my current case, and then I'll explain my appliance and its mechanisms.
My case is a simple somewhat severe case of hemifacial canting with the right side being lower than the left. This is a developmental issue caused by a multitude of lifestyle and environmental factors, which culminated in a fairly significant asymmetry. Neither of my Great Grandfathers possess a hint of this asymmetry, and I am therefore certain it is not genetic, but rather environmental in nature. Blah blah, here's a picture:
*Ignore annotations those are for a bone smashing appliance*
As you can see there is an asymmetry that is present on the whole of the right side of the face. The asymmetry ranges at around~4-6 degrees. Notable for sure.
Typically an ortho will use brackets to intrude/extrude teeth. This solves the canting to a degree, but does not fix the underlying skeletal issues. The result isnt bad, but its not perfect, and why not shoot for the moon.
I am not using any brackets, but rather splints on both the upper and lower teeth which will house wires producing ~200g of force across the whole arch, upwards on the right and downwards on the left. These splints also have a 5mm bite block which will keep the left teeth from intruding at all and aid in intruding the right teeth, as well as hopefully some upward force on the Maxilla. Again, we’ll se what happens with the other cranial structures. Its unlikely they will move from this, though I do suspect because I am focusing force on them indirectly they could move. (Perhaps just cope JFL)
The brunt of the mechanics are based on the ‘Yin Yang Wire’ setup. The Yin Yang Wire method uses 2 wires bent in a specific way to apply full upward force on one side and full downward force on the other. This is done with the goal of intruding and extruding teeth, though I will be attempting to get significant Zygomatic and Maxillary movement of around 3 degrees. Depending on my results within around 6 months I will likely be placing a TAD, although I'll have to see what happens first.
Photos of the appliance/splints coming soon. Ill update periodically once I completely the appliance and update with improvements (or if something goes wrong JFL)
So to start off ill explain my current case, and then I'll explain my appliance and its mechanisms.
My case is a simple somewhat severe case of hemifacial canting with the right side being lower than the left. This is a developmental issue caused by a multitude of lifestyle and environmental factors, which culminated in a fairly significant asymmetry. Neither of my Great Grandfathers possess a hint of this asymmetry, and I am therefore certain it is not genetic, but rather environmental in nature. Blah blah, here's a picture:
*Ignore annotations those are for a bone smashing appliance*
As you can see there is an asymmetry that is present on the whole of the right side of the face. The asymmetry ranges at around~4-6 degrees. Notable for sure.
Typically an ortho will use brackets to intrude/extrude teeth. This solves the canting to a degree, but does not fix the underlying skeletal issues. The result isnt bad, but its not perfect, and why not shoot for the moon.
I am not using any brackets, but rather splints on both the upper and lower teeth which will house wires producing ~200g of force across the whole arch, upwards on the right and downwards on the left. These splints also have a 5mm bite block which will keep the left teeth from intruding at all and aid in intruding the right teeth, as well as hopefully some upward force on the Maxilla. Again, we’ll se what happens with the other cranial structures. Its unlikely they will move from this, though I do suspect because I am focusing force on them indirectly they could move. (Perhaps just cope JFL)
The brunt of the mechanics are based on the ‘Yin Yang Wire’ setup. The Yin Yang Wire method uses 2 wires bent in a specific way to apply full upward force on one side and full downward force on the other. This is done with the goal of intruding and extruding teeth, though I will be attempting to get significant Zygomatic and Maxillary movement of around 3 degrees. Depending on my results within around 6 months I will likely be placing a TAD, although I'll have to see what happens first.
Photos of the appliance/splints coming soon. Ill update periodically once I completely the appliance and update with improvements (or if something goes wrong JFL)