Skeletal and dental effects of a new compliance-free appliance, the NET3 corrector, in management of skeletal Class III malocclusion compared to rapid maxillary expansion-facemask.

OBJECTIVES: To examine retrospectively the short-term effects of a compliance-free skeletal Class III corrector (NET3-corrector) compared to rapid maxillary expansion-facemask (RME-FM). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Records of 20 skeletal Class III patients treated with the NET3-corrector were compared to 20 patients treated with RME-FM, mean age: 11.14 +/- 1.17 years and 11.14 +/- 2.06, respectively. The NET3-corrector consisted of a hybrid-expander, a lower lingual arch, and a modified PowerScope spring. The RME-FM group received an RME-facemask combination. T2 records were collected when an overjet of at least 2 mm was achieved. Differences between two timepoints within groups and differences between groups were tested using paired samples t-test and independent samples t-test, respectively (P < .05 was considered statistically significant). RESULTS: The treatment time was 10.5 months with NET3-corrector and 12 months with RME-FM. The NET3-corrector was well tolerated by patients and the Class III malocclusion was corrected in all patients in both groups. The overall maxillary skeletal change was greater with the NET3-corrector, with an additional 2 degrees advancement at SNA (P < .001). Significant differences in maxillary incisor angulation were observed in the RME-FM group in comparison to NET3 (-0.37 +/- 3.31 vs 4.96 +/- 3.80; P < .001). The mandibular molars tipped significantly more distally in the NET3 group (7.3 degrees more; P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: The compliance-free tooth-bone-borne NET3-corrector, is effective in correcting Class III malocclusion with improved maxillary skeletal outcomes compared to RME-FM in the short term. These results need to be evaluated in the long term with a randomized sample.