Evaluation of Different Anchorage-supported Appliances and Expansion Procedures for Face Mask Treatment

Participants were treated with face mask using a Hybrid-Hyrax appliance as an anchor in the maxillary arch. The anchorage of hybrid-hyrax appliance was provided by bands adapted to the maxillary first permanent molars and two mini screws in the anterior palate. Force transmission was achieved using intermaxillary elastics that were connected to the face mask arms from the hooks of the hybrid-hyrax appliance in the maxillary canine region.

Participants were treated with face mask using a bonded RME appliance as an anchor in the maxillary arch. The anchorage of bonded RME appliance was provided by maxillary posterior teeth covered with acrylic cap. Force transmission was achieved using intermaxillary elastics that were connected to the face mask arms from the hooks of the bonded RME in the maxillary canine region.

In the groups that started with the Alt-Ramec protocol, the parents expanded the appliance screw twice a day in the first week and closed it in the opposite direction in the following week. This process was continued for 7-9 weeks according to the patient's need for expansion.

In the groups that started with the routine protocol, parents activated the expansion screw twice a day for 1-2 weeks, depending on the patient's need for expansion.