title: Maxillary corticotomy and extraoral orthopedic traction in mature teenage patients: a case report.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The authors' propose to combine the reverse pull headgear with a Delaire type face mask and a maxillary corticotomy to treat a Class III non-growing patient with maxillary retrusion. The aim of this report is to present two cases in which this treatment strategy was successful.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Several studies suggest the majority of Class III dento-skeletal malocclusions have components of maxillary retrusion. Early treatment of these patients with maxillary protraction devices have shown promising results. Facemask therapy has some important limits. Most important is the optimal timing of treatment between the ages of six to ten years. Closure of the maxillary suture occurs as a child ages which results in an increase of maxillary resistance to protraction.
  
  
  METHODS
  A proposed therapy carried out in orthodontic and surgical phases was used in the treatment of two young patients. They were both beyond the optimal age range for the application of the orthopedic device (a girl 15 years old and a boy 16 years old), however, they had not reached the necessary skeletal maturity for orthognathic surgery.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The described technique has the advantage of being quick and easy to perform with a low surgical risk yielding satisfactory results after 15-20 days of therapy instead of the six to nine months associated with traditional procedures.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore Policlinico A. Gemelli, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Sandro
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pelo
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Boniello
authors.forename: Giulio
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Gasparini
authors.forename: Gianluigi
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Longobardi
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D002508:Cephalometry; D005115:Extraoral Traction Appliances; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008313:Malocclusion, Angle Class III / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*; D008437:Maxilla / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000601:surgery*; D009971:Orthodontics, Corrective / Q000295:instrumentation*; D019340:Osteotomy, Le Fort; D010155:Palatal Expansion Technique; D063173:Retrognathia / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome