Frankel III Functional Regulator: A Simplified Treatment of Skeletal Type III Malposition

By Yosh Jefferson, DMD

Dental Class III malocclusions are easy to correct, whereas skeletal Type III malpositions are more complicated. In orthodontics, they are considered the most difficult facial-skeletal abnormality to correct.

Most orthodontic practitioners assume that skeletal Type III malpositions are caused by prognathic mandibles. That may be true in some cases, but most skeletal Type III malpositions are caused by underdeveloped maxillae. Successful treatment of this abnormality is based on accurate diagnosis. The Jefferson Cephalometric Analysis is one of the best ways to determine whether the skeletal Type III abnormality is caused by prognathic mandibles, a retrognathic maxillae, or a combination of both. This type of ceph analysis is also helpful in determining whether an abnormality is dental Class III or skeletal Type III.

Treating skeletal Type III abnormalities in compliant children and teenagers using the Frankel III appliance is fast, easy, and efficient. The treatment results are stable, and there is no need for retainers.