Orthopedic Class II appliances are used to correct Class II malocclusions, when the lower jaw needs to come forward to a Class I relationship. We offer several appliances options, both fixed and removable.
The Twin Blocks were developed in the early 1980's by Dr. William Clark, an orthodontist from Scotland. The basic Clark Twin Block appliance achieves Class II correction because of the way the upper and lower inclined occlusal planes ('wedges') interlock together to hold the mandible in a forward position. With the mandible held forward, bone remodeling occurs as a result of the combination of stretch on the musculature and repositioning of the condyles.
The CBJ appliance is effective in the correction of Class II Malocclusion and Skeletal relationship. As a compliance-free functional appliance, it is an aggressive alternative to headgear, prevention of surgery & extraction, and sometimes-elastic therapy.
The MARA Appliance is constructed with oversized stainless steel crowns on the upper and lower first permanent molars. The appliance consists of "Elbows" which insert into tubes on the maxillary crowns and "Arms" which protrude from the mandibular crowns in a buccal direction. The "Elbows and Arms" are positioned so that when the patient attempts to occlude, the mandible must posture forward or the "Elbows and Arms" will interfere.
The 3D® Ric–a–nator is built off of bands on the maxillary first permanent molars. There is an anterior bite plane of acrylic that engages the lingual of the anterior teeth and that the lower teeth bite into in a forward bite relationship. The anterior acrylic is connected to the molar bands by arms that engage the lingual of the bicuspids and that insert into special vertical tubes (3D® tubes) on the lingual of the molar bands. There are rests on the first bicuspids for stability.
These examples represent many of the most common appliances requested. However, we can custom design any appliance to your personal specifications with the quality and consistency you expect from your laboratory partner. For more information, Contact Us!
