Mixed dentition case report.

Malocclusions can be successfully corrected by phase I mixed dentition therapy and significantly reduce the need for comprehensive orthodontic treatment in the permanent dentition. Phase I orthodontic treatment is designed to correct the skeletal and dental malocclusions at an early age with 12 to 18 months of treatment. After phase I treatment, there is a supervision phase of typically 18 to 30 months to hold the correction achieved and to supervise the eruption of the remaining permanent teeth. Good management during the supervision phase is key to maintaining the phase I result and to minimizing phase II treatment. If a second phase of orthodontic treatment is required, treatment time is usually limited to 6 to 18 months, depending on the malocclusion and growth pattern. In this case, full banded treatment and maxillary intrusion surgery was not recommended because of the excellent early treatment result. Reduction of vertical anterior maxillary excess can be successfully achieved with early mixed dentition treatment and remain stable during the supervision phase of treatment. At the University of the Pacific, mixed dentition treatment is an integral part of the graduate program in orthodontics. This patient had a severe skeletal ANB angle discrepancy of 8 degrees, a vertical growth pattern, and 8 mm of overjet. She was considered an excellent candidate for phase I treatment to reduce the severity of the problem. It is our philosophy to take advantage of the growth potential in a patient by initiating phase I treatment between the ages of 7 and 9 years, depending on the eruption of the permanent first molars and incisors and the severity of the malocclusion.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)