Treatment of Class II Division 2 Pattern Malocclusion Using Protraction Utility Arch in a Prepubertal Patient: A Clinical Case Report

Abstract

Class II malocclusions are one of the most commonly encountered problems in orthodontics. A class II division 2 type of malocclusions is one in which there is distocclusion of the molars along with retroclined central incisors. These occur but quite rarely in the practice and not many varieties of treatment modalities have been published in the recent literature. The use of protraction and retraction utility arch has been advocated in the following case along with fixed orthodontic treatment in a prepubertal male child to obtain stable results.

How to cite this article

Kannan S, Saravanan S, Arora N, et al. Treatment of Class II Division 2 Pattern malocclusion Using Protraction Utility Arch in a Prepubertal Patient: A Clinical Case Report. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2020;13(4):416–420.

Introduction

Class II type malocclusion is one of the most commonly observed problems in the practice of orthodontics. It is generally explained as the distally placed relation of the mandibular arch in relation to the maxillary arch along with an amalgamation of distinctive components of the dentition and skeleton.¹ This affects not only esthetics of the face but also the functional status of the patient. The relationship between esthetics of the face and occlusal relationship sagittally has been constantly researched since Angle's studies wherein the sagittal deviations in occlusion were observed. These produced various in the disharmonies of facial contours of the patient. In 1899, Angle classified sagittal occlusal relationships into three broad categories/classes based mostly on the anteroposterior relationship of the maxillary and mandibular first permanent molars.² A class II distocclusion, which he further divided into two:¹ division with the protrusion of upper incisors and² division with the retrusion of upper incisors. Many years later, European orthodontists pointed out the pattern of malocclusion which corresponds to class II, division 2.³

History and Etiology

A prepubertal male patient named Bhavik, aged 11 years, complained of irregularly placed upper front teeth. No relevant family history or dental history was reported. He was internally motivated with a positive attitude toward the orthodontic treatment and cited esthetics as the main reason for taking orthodontic treatment. Physical examination revealed height of 150 cm and weight 38 kg with amesomorphic body type.

Clinical Examination

Extraoral facial examination revealed no asymmetry, and lower third was found to be slightly shorter in the face (Fig. 1). The facial profile was convex with a posterior divergence, straight nose with the nasolabial angle obtuse. The upper and lower lips were normally positioned in relation to the Steiner S line (0 mm). The smiling photographs showed an asymmetrical smile with 100% of the incisal show. The smile arc was nonconsonant and no lateral negative space was present.

Figs 1A and B.

Pretreatment photographs: (A) Extraoral; (B) Intraoral

Intraoral examination showed poor oral hygiene status, Angle's Class I molar bilaterally, class I canine relationship bilaterally, and a class II incisor relationship (Fig. 1). The upper central incisors and lower incisors were retroclined. An overjet of 2 mm and an overbite of 6 mm were observed.

Diagnosis

A 11-year-old prepubertal male patient named Bhavik, with the principal complaint of irregular placement of maxillary anterior teeth, has been diagnosed skeletally as a class I jaw base with retrognathic maxilla and retrognathic mandible, average growth pattern, having class I molar relation on both sides, class I canine relation on both sides, incisor relation-class II division 2, Angle's class I malocclusion with retroclined upper centrals, proclined upper laterals and proclined lower anterior teeth with an overjet of 2 mm and an overbite of 6 mm soft tissue with convex profile, obtuse nasolabial angle, normal upper and lower lips, and a lip strain of 2 mm tongue thrust present.

Bolton analysis showed an overall mandibular discrepancy of about −0.09 mm and an anterior mandibular discrepancy of 1.79 mm. Periapical radiographs showed normal bonetrabecula with no pathology. Cephalometric values revealed an ideal relationship between the maxilla and mandible:

ANB = 2° (SNA = 75° and SNB = 73°) with a vertical growth pattern—GoGn-SN = 39° (Fig. 2 and Table 1).

Fig. 2.

Pretreatment extraoral and intraoral radiographs

Table 1.

Pretreatment and posttreatment cephalometric values

Cephalometric evaluation variable	Normal	Pretreatment	Posttreatment
SNA	82°	75°	74°
SNB	80°	73°	73°
ANB	2°	2°	1°
Wits	F 0 mm	2 mm	2 mm
	M +1 mm
U1 to NA (mm/deg)	4 mm/22°	3 mm/16°	10 mm/39°
L1 to NB (mm/deg)	4 mm/25°	4 mm/20°	8 mm/32°
U1 to SN	102°	89°	67°
L1 to MP	90 ± 3°	91°	101°
Interincisal angle	135°	141°	108°
L1 to A-pog line	1–2 mm	−2 mm	5 mm
N perpendicular to point A	0 ± 1 mm	−2 mm	−8 mm
N perpendicular to Pog	0–4 mm	−6 mm	−11 mm
Maxillary–mandibular planes angle	25°	26°	30°
SN plane–mandibular plane	32°	39°	39°
Jarabak ratio	62–65%	60%	61.56%
Maxillary length (McNamara)		87 mm	84 mm
Mandibular length – effective (McNamara)		108 mm	112 mm
Lower lip to Ricketts E plane	−2 mm	−4 mm (UL)	−5 mm (UL)
		−2 mm (LL)	−2 mm (LL)
Nasolabial angle	102 ± 8°	118°	116°

Treatment Objectives

The objectives of the treatment were as follows: maintain molar, incisor and canine relation, leveling and alignment the arches, correction of overjet and overbite, and to improve the facial profile of the patient by maintaining the balance of the upper lip.

Treatment Plan

The treatment was commenced with use of a utility arch for the maxillary central incisor (11, 21) protraction, and retraction. A removable TPA appliance was given in the maxillary arch during this phase. This was followed by the use of MBT fixed appliance with 0.22 slot for alignment and leveling using round 0.012-in NiTi wires. Bands were cemented to the upper and lower arches. 0.014-in to 0.020-in wires were used to align and level teeth. During finishing, 0.019 × 0.025-in archwires were used. Fixed retainers were used for both the maxilla and mandible (Fig. 3).

Figs 3A to D.

Protraction and retraction utility arch

Treatment Progress

The patient's chief complaint was irregularly placed upper front teeth. The patient and parent were explained about the need for the protraction and retraction appliance before commencing fixed orthodontic treatment. After placement of the utility arch in the maxillary central incisors, banding was done in the first molars. Upper bonding was done using the MBT brackets and 0.012 NiTi wire was placed. The bite of the patient was raised using composite to aid in bonding the teeth of the lower arch. After bonding, the lower teeth 0.012 NiTi wire was placed. As the treatment progressed, upper 0.019 × 0.025 SS wire was given and 0.016 NiTi in the lower arch. After a few months, a curve of Spee was incorporated in the upper arch with 0.019 × 0.025 SS wire, and in the lower arch, reverse curve of Spee was given with 0.019 × 0.025 SS wire. For the final part of the repositioning, upper and lower arches were given 0.018 NiTi wires. For finishing and detailing of the treatment, 0.016 AJ Wilcock wires were placed along with triangular settling green elastics in the posterior teeth. After debonding, lingual-bonded retainers were placed from the two lateral incisors on each side in the upper arch and from the canines on either side in the lower arch (Fig. 4).

Figs 4A to C.

Posttreatment extraoral and intraoral photographs and radiographs

Discussion

Class II division 2 malocclusions represent a specific irregularity in bite, which is characterized by a specific ratio of teeth and jaw bases. A distinct skeletal profile of the patients is a protruded nose, subnasal, and mental region, along with the following specific dentoskeletal features:⁴

• Orthognathic maxilla and mild retrognathic mandible

• Stark horizontal growth pattern along with the frontal rotation of the mandibular base

• Skeletal deep bite

• Retroclination and supraposition of the upper incisors, and

• Small teeth, pronounced growth of mandibular base, and a strong chin.

Soft-tissue profile in class II division 2 is a profile of “sharp” facial contours with concave lower third of the face with a protruding nose and tip of the chin, thin vermillion, and retruded lips. The protrusion type utility arch is useful in the proclination of upper and lower incisors.⁵ It is commonly employed for flaring and intrusion of the upper incisors in Angle's class II division 2 type malocclusions. Hence, for this patient, it was planned to give the protraction utility arch for proclining the upper central incisors for their alignment in accordance to the rest of the dentition in maxillary arch.