New Technologies and Old Timings of Treatment

With the introduction of new technologies such as the use of TADs and accelerated tooth movement the attention of clinicians has shifted from the growing to the non growing patient. While maintaining interest in early treatment, the increased ability to control anchorage without compliance in the second phase of treatment has given the idea of full control of biomechanics, while surgical intervention is proposed to control treatment time. Growing patients with Class II malocclusions are still the daily bread in clinical practice. Proposed timings of treatment are either related to skeletal maturation or stage of dental development. Skeletal timing tries to address the mandibular retrognathism which is a component of Class II malocclusion in a high number of patients. Dental timing aims to consistently achieve good occlusal results in non extraction treatment. Purpose of the presentation is to discuss skeletal and dental timings of treatment and their clinical significance relative to biomechanics, length of treatment and prognosis.

Learning Objectives:

• Deduce that skeletal timing of treatment does not avoid surgery in retrognathic Class II patients.
• Deduce that dental timing helps non extraction Class II treatment to consistently achieve a Class I molar occlusion.
• Deduce that skeletal and dental timings of treatment do not result in clinically significant different amount of mandibular growth.