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PIIS2212443823001145
PIIS2212443823001145
PIIS2212443823001145
Special Article
a r t i c l e i n f o a b s t r a c t
Article history: This article examines the characteristics of hypodivergent craniofacial patterns and explores treatment
Received 24 November 2023 modalities in response to these features. It discusses the impact of robust masticatory muscles, which pro-
Revised 10 December 2023
duce heavy occlusal forces. In addition, it examines the use of Botox or splints to reduce gonial angles in
Accepted 10 December 2023
individuals with a square face. A nonextraction treatment approach supported by temporary skeletal an-
Available online xxx
chorage devices is recommended; however, if anatomical limitations persist, extraction may be necessary
Keywords: when arch expansion, molar distalization, incisor proclination, or interproximal reduction cannot create
Hypodivergent craniofacial pattern the necessary space. In hypodivergent cases where a nonextraction approach is impractical, a single-arch
Low mandibular plane angle extraction strategy may be considered to prevent a reduction in the vertical dimension. Emphasizing es-
Skeletal anchorage thetics, particularly maxillary incisor display, a protocol of total arch extrusion of the maxillary dentition
Total arch distalization assisted with temporary skeletal anchorage device, bite raisers, and interarch elastics is suggested.
Total arch extrusion
© 2023 World Federation of Orthodontists. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
2212-4438/$ – see front matter © 2023 World Federation of Orthodontists. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejwf.2023.12.007
Please cite this article as: J.J.L. Liaw and J.H. Park, Orthodontic considerations in hypodivergent craniofacial patterns, Journal of the World
Federation of Orthodontists, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejwf.2023.12.007
JID: EJWF
ARTICLE IN PRESS [mNS;January 11, 2024;14:28]
2 J.J.L. Liaw and J.H. Park / Journal of the World Federation of Orthodontists xxx (xxxx) xxx
control, leading to improved facial profiles and enhanced chin potential to enhance esthetics, particularly in terms of maxillary
projection [13,14]. incisor display, providing a viable option for improving the overall
Pioneered by Angell and Haas, rapid palatal expansion (RPE) facial harmony of patients with hypodivergent pattern.
emerged in the early 1900s as a solution for transverse discrepan- The occlusal force and the strength of masticatory muscles were
cies [15]. However, its primary limitation lies in its suitability with evidenced to be higher in patients with hypodivergent pattern
adolescent patients. In adults requiring transverse correction, sur- [3,21]. Orthodontists experienced much slower tooth movement
gically assisted RPE may be recommended. A recent breakthrough, in patients with hypodivergent pattern, especially when extraction
miniscrew-assisted RPE (MARPE), presents a novel approach for ad- space needed to be closed. Therefore, a nonextraction approach is
dressing transverse discrepancies in adult patients [16,17]. preferred over extraction treatment.
Three-dimensional control of tooth movement with skeletal an- In hypodivergent malocclusions where a nonextraction ap-
chorage has revolutionized orthodontic treatment by providing a proach is preferred, TSADs play a significant role in increasing the
more efficient and predictable means of moving teeth. The use of likelihood of a successful nonextraction treatment. Extrusive me-
TSADs has made it possible to increase treatment efficiency, reduce chanics are utilized in the treatment to promote the eruption of
treatment time, and improve treatment outcomes. The ability to posterior teeth and induce backward rotation, aiming to counteract
control tooth movement in all three planes of space has also led to the inherent tendency of forward rotation of the mandible. There-
more precise and accurate tooth positioning, as well as improved fore, the use of bite raisers or interarch elastics is encouraged dur-
esthetics and functional outcomes. ing treatment to enhance the overall facial height. However, it is
The use of TSADs has evolved through phases, commencing worth noting that heavy occlusal force may hinder the eruption of
with the management of sagittal anchorage, progressing to vertical posterior teeth. If maxillary incisor extrusion is indicated for an ap-
control, and subsequently incorporating transverse control through propriate maxillary incisor display, a comprehensive approach in-
MARPE. While active vertical control has shown promising ad- volving total arch extrusion anchored with TSADs along with the
vancements in addressing hyperdivergent cases, there has been use of bite raisers and interarch elastics might be considered. The
comparatively limited exploration in applying TSADs to hypodiver- treatment objectives include an increase in the LAFH, more harmo-
gent cases. This article endeavors to concentrate on the orthodontic nious vertical proportions, and improved maxillary incisor display
considerations regarding hypodivergent malocclusions. with long-term stability.
However, when extraction becomes necessary either because of
2. Characteristics severe crowding or unfavorable proclination of the incisors after
alignment, and anatomical constraints limit the effectiveness of ex-
Hypodivergent craniofacial patterns or skeletal deep overbite in pansion or distalization in creating adequate space for all teeth, the
Sassouni’s classification of skeletal facial patterns are character- bottom line is a single-arch extraction in the maxillary dentition. In
ized by the convergence of four planes (Frankfurt horizontal plane, cases with extremely hypodivergent craniofacial patterns, orthog-
palatal plane, occlusal plane, mandibular plane), small cranial base nathic surgery is a viable consideration.
and gonial angles, upright incisors, short posterior dental height, a
decrease in lower anterior facial height (LAFH) than in upper an- 4. Biomechanics considerations
terior facial height, stronger masseter muscles, a square face, and
a short but thick symphysis [18–20]. In addition, the cortical bone 4.1. Deep bite correction
and alveolar ridge tend to be thicker in hypodivergent cases than
in hyperdivergent cases. Hypodivergent cases often exhibit a deep overbite, which can
be effectively addressed through anterior intrusion, posterior ex-
3. Treatment planning trusion, or a combination of both. While posterior extrusion might
not be suitable for hyperdivergent cases, it is generally welcomed
A short, lower face may be associated with various types in hypodivergent cases. However, it is noteworthy that even with
of malocclusions depending on the underlying structural causes. encouragement for posterior extrusion using appropriate mechan-
While traditional orthodontic treatments can correct the malocclu- ics, there is a tendency for relapse because of the substantial oc-
sion, they often fail to address the esthetic concerns linked to a clusal forces in hypodivergent cases.
hypodivergent craniofacial pattern, including a square face, inad- To enhance stability in deep bite correction, the preferred strat-
equate incisor display, or vertical proportion disharmony. Unfor- egy is anterior intrusion in hypodivergent cases. The biomechanics
tunately, Creekmore said, “high angle faces tend to become even of anterior intrusion encompass a range of techniques, including
higher, whereas low-angle faces tend to get lower” [18]. However, the use of high-pull J-hooks, intrusion arches, utility arches, bite
“the control of posterior tooth eruption is the most manageable plates or bite turbos, functional appliances, and miniscrew anchor-
factor available to the orthodontist in the overall control of ante- age [22–25]. Nevertheless, controversies may arise regarding the
rior vertical dimension of the lower face.” Orthopedic treatment rate and extent of incisor intrusion achieved through these meth-
might be possible in growing patients by using extraoral traction, ods.
interarch elastics, arch wires, activator, etc. In adults with short Consensus suggests that intrusion with utility arches may lead
faces, a comprehensive approach involving orthodontics and or- to more pronounced side effects in the posterior teeth, particularly
thognathic surgery is often necessary [19,20]. Surgically advancing in vertical dimension. Therefore, the authors advocate for the use
the mandible while preserving the curve of Spee is commonly em- of anterior miniscrews to facilitate bite opening in challenging deep
ployed to manage Class II malocclusions. For cases involving verti- bite cases, especially those with hypodivergence, and suggest a fo-
cal maxillary deficiency, Le Fort I osteotomy with inferior reposi- cus on optimizing treatment efficiency. For Class II Division 2 mal-
tioning offers the required spatial correction. occlusion, the use of anterior miniscrews is also very helpful in re-
The integration of TSADs has introduced an alternative avenue. gaining torque with the retroclined maxillary incisors (Figs. 1–4).
Total arch extrusion of the maxillary dentition, facilitated by TSADs, The moment generated by the anteriorly positioned intrusive force
may present an opportunity to address hypodivergent conditions is much larger than the moment produced by the archwire in the
without resorting to orthognathic surgery. This approach has the bracket slot.
Please cite this article as: J.J.L. Liaw and J.H. Park, Orthodontic considerations in hypodivergent craniofacial patterns, Journal of the World
Federation of Orthodontists, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejwf.2023.12.007
JID: EJWF
ARTICLE IN PRESS [mNS;January 11, 2024;14:28]
J.J.L. Liaw and J.H. Park / Journal of the World Federation of Orthodontists xxx (xxxx) xxx 3
Fig. 1. (A) A Class II Division 2 case featuring moderate protrusion and a gummy smile revealed an evident deep overbite characterized by retroclined maxillary incisors.
(B) A nonextraction approach of total arch distalization with infrazygomatic (IZC) miniscrews was used for Class II correction. The deep overbite was corrected by placing
anterior subapical miniscrews between the maxillary central incisors. (C) Class II dental relationships and deep overbite were successfully corrected, and the facial profile was
significantly improved.
Fig. 2. The torque of the retroclined maxillary incisors was regained successfully,
the gummy smile was also solved. (A) Pretreatment maxillary incisor display. (B)
Pretreatment maxillary incisor retroclination. (C) Posttreatment maxillary incisor
display. (D) Posttreatment maxillary incisor proclination.
Fig. 3. The cephalometric superimposition reveals a total arch intrusion and retrac-
tion of the maxillary dentition to correct the gummy smile and Class II dental re-
4.2. The number of anterior miniscrews lationships. Additionally, the extrusion of the mandibular molars can be observed
subsequent to the use of bite turbos for bite disocclusion. Pretreatment (black);
When it comes to using anterior miniscrews to intrude the an- posttreatment (red).
Please cite this article as: J.J.L. Liaw and J.H. Park, Orthodontic considerations in hypodivergent craniofacial patterns, Journal of the World
Federation of Orthodontists, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejwf.2023.12.007
JID: EJWF
ARTICLE IN PRESS [mNS;January 11, 2024;14:28]
4 J.J.L. Liaw and J.H. Park / Journal of the World Federation of Orthodontists xxx (xxxx) xxx
Fig. 5. (A) A mild skeletal Class III and dental Class I malocclusion showed inadequate maxillary incisor display. (B) After 1 month of miniscrew-assisted total arch extrusion,
the maxillary incisors and maxillary molars were extruded by the deactivation of the extrusion spring. (C) The posttreatment facial profile improved slightly through the total
arch extrusion of the maxillary dentition to rotate the mandible backward.
Please cite this article as: J.J.L. Liaw and J.H. Park, Orthodontic considerations in hypodivergent craniofacial patterns, Journal of the World
Federation of Orthodontists, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejwf.2023.12.007
JID: EJWF
ARTICLE IN PRESS [mNS;January 11, 2024;14:28]
J.J.L. Liaw and J.H. Park / Journal of the World Federation of Orthodontists xxx (xxxx) xxx 5
Please cite this article as: J.J.L. Liaw and J.H. Park, Orthodontic considerations in hypodivergent craniofacial patterns, Journal of the World
Federation of Orthodontists, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejwf.2023.12.007
JID: EJWF
ARTICLE IN PRESS [mNS;January 11, 2024;14:28]
6 J.J.L. Liaw and J.H. Park / Journal of the World Federation of Orthodontists xxx (xxxx) xxx
Fig. 9. The progressive records of the maxillary incisor display, (A) pretreatment, (B) midtreatment before total arch extrusion. (C) Posttreatment illustrates effective total
arch extrusion to improve the maxillary incisor display with the skeletal anchorage.
As the treatment goal was to enhance the patient’s maxillary in- Dr. Johnny J.L Liaw contributed to treating patients and writ-
cisor display, maxillary incisor extrusion anchored with miniscrews ing. Dr. Jae Hyun Park contributed to the reviewing and writing the
was tried in the first place [33]. Some improvement in the max- case. Both authors have read and agreed to the published version
illary incisor display was noted after the TSAD-assisted maxillary of the manuscript.
incisor extrusion, but unfortunately, there was a relapse tendency
during the treatment process because of the heavy occlusal force. References
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Please cite this article as: J.J.L. Liaw and J.H. Park, Orthodontic considerations in hypodivergent craniofacial patterns, Journal of the World
Federation of Orthodontists, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejwf.2023.12.007
JID: EJWF
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Please cite this article as: J.J.L. Liaw and J.H. Park, Orthodontic considerations in hypodivergent craniofacial patterns, Journal of the World
Federation of Orthodontists, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejwf.2023.12.007