Evolution in Treating Growing-Stage Prognathism... New Non-Extraction Orthodontic Method Using 'Face Mask' Introduced

Seoul St. Mary's Hospital Dental Hospital Professors Guk Yoon-a and Kim Yoon-ji Team

Professor Guk Yoon-ah, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital Dental Hospital.

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-joo] The orthodontic team led by Professors Guk Yoon-ah and Kim Yoon-ji at the Department of Orthodontics, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital Dental Hospital, announced on the 2nd that a method of correcting teeth in growing patients with prognathism using a palatal device is more effective than conventional treatment methods.

The research team divided 40 patients aged 8 to 13 into two groups: one treated with a palatal device using a 'face mask (extraoral orthodontic appliance)' and the other treated with a face mask using a conventional tooth-supported appliance. They conducted forward traction treatment to pull the maxilla (upper jawbone) forward as it grows.

As a result, the group using the palatal device showed an average maxillary advancement of 2.3 mm, whereas the group using the tooth-supported device showed an average maxillary forward traction of 0.9 mm. Additionally, the research team explained that no unnecessary tooth movement was observed in the group using the palatal device, confirming that the maxillary forward traction treatment was more effective.

Prognathism is a condition where the lower jaw is larger or longer than the upper jaw and protrudes forward, causing not only aesthetic issues but also malocclusion of the teeth. Growing children begin phase 1 orthodontic treatment by using a face mask to promote the growth of the upper jaw and restrict the growth of the lower jaw. Since the skeletal improvement achievable through jaw growth control becomes limited as age increases, early treatment is recommended.

Professor Guk stated, “The face mask treatment using the newly developed palatal device not only pulls the maxilla forward more than the conventional method but also results in less unwanted tooth movement and significantly improves the facial profile of growing patients.”

She added, “Since prognathism is a skeletal problem that requires early detection and growth control treatment during childhood, it is important to detect prognathism early through dental check-ups at ages 6 to 7 and to maintain thorough communication between the doctor and patient for about 10 years until growth is complete.”

The research results were published online ahead of formal publication in the international journal American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics (AJODO) and were simultaneously selected as the Case of the Month Video Collection in the October issue.

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