Distalization of the mandibular dentition of an adult with a skeletal Class III malocclusion

This case report describes the orthodontic treatment of an 18-year-old woman with a skeletal Class III malocclusion and a midline deviation. The treatment plan consisted of distalizing the mandibular dentition asymmetrically and producing space for retraction of the mandibular anterior teeth. Short Class III elastics, an open-coil spring, and the mulitloop edgewise archwire technique were used, combining the entire maxillary dentition as integrated anchorage. The active treatment period was 26 months. Normal overbite and overjet were obtained, and facial balance was improved. (Am J Orthod Dentofacial Orthop 2012;142:854-62)