The facial mask It is an orthodontic appliance which corrects the sagittal relationship between the maxilla and the mandible, promoting the development and bone remodeling of the maxilla, and therefore there is a protrusion of the maxilla.
This type of orthodontics can be performed with a face mask if there is a complete eruption of the first molars, central and lateral incisors. To be able to perform orthodontics with the mask, a rapid expander or circuit breaker must be placed in the jaw that will be placed 1 week before the placement of the face mask.
This face mask has points of support at the frontal level and on the chin. With the help of elastic, it is attached to the intraoral circuit breaker. The circuit breaker does nothing but it is the mask that activates the circuit breaker.
The force exerted by the face mask is a discontinuous force of about 14 hours a day.
The main functions of the face mask are as follows:
- Advance the upper jaw
- Vary the inclination of the traction based on the patient’s vertical pattern.
- Increase the arch perimeter, combining it with the circuit breaker.
- Carry out an effective advance and growth due to the apposition of bone in the posterior maxillary sutures.
The phases of facial mask treatment are divided into three: expansion, protraction and retention. Palatal expansion is performed with the breaker-type expander. The protraction of the maxilla is carried out with the face mask, in this phase the patient’s bone and dental maturation must be properly assessed in order to achieve the success of the protraction. Once the objectives are achieved with the face mask and the expansion device, the results must be maintained, it is what is considered as retention.
What are the indications of the facial mask in orthodontics?
The face mask is indicated mainly in cases of class III sagittal malocclusion when there is a hypoplasia of the maxilla, correcting both skeletal and dental malocclusion.
It is especially indicated in children aged 6 to 8 years in which the incisors and upper first molars are erupted. After this age the movement is dental.
Thanks to the mask, class III can be corrected due to maxillary hypoplasia, and consequently the patient’s profile is improved. In this way, reducing the possibility of a surgical treatment of orthognathic surgery in advanced ages.
Thus, facial mask treatment is very useful in classes III in which there is hypoplasia of the upper jaw. It is important to individualize each case using simple therapies, active and short treatment periods, and using adequate retentions to avoid recurrence of treatment.
