Treatment Objectives of the Goodyear Orthodontist

The Goodyear orthodontist would set up the orthodontic treatment plan for this patient with the idea that she is going to need orthognathic surgery. She already has a Class III skeletal and dental relationship at 12 years old. In addition, she is still likely to have considerable growth, as she is pre-menarche. Since she is likely to have considerable growth, the Goodyear orthodontist would probably wait a few years before beginning orthodontic treatment. The impacted maxillary canines are of some concern because one of the factors that lead to a better prognosis is age (younger is better). The Goodyear orthodontist doesn’t feel that waiting 2-3 years will make a huge difference. During this time period, the Goodyear orthodontist would refer the patient to an allergist if the patient were not already being treated for her allergies.

Once the Goodyear orthodontist is ready to begin orthodontic treatment (2-3 years), the Goodyear orthodontist would extract upper 4’s and lower 5’s. This would allow room for the maxillary canines as well as alleviate the crowding. In addition, using this Class II extraction pattern will allow him to decompensate the arches and maximize the surgical movement. Given the Goodyear orthodontist doesn’t know what the girl looks like or her incisal display at rest, the Goodyear orthodontist would lean towards a LeFort I maxillary impaction and advancement. This will allow for the necessary anteroposterior correction as well as decrease her long lower facial height.

The overall orthodontic treatment objectives are a Class I canine/molar relationship, optimal overjet/overbite, canine guidance, decreased vertical dimension, and improved facial esthetics.