Improved superelastic Ni–Ti alloy wire for treating skeletal class III malocclusion combined with anterior crossbite: A case report

Figure 1  Pretreatment facial photographs showing a slightly concave profile.

Figure 2  Intraoral photographs illustrating an angle class III malocclusion.

Figure 3 The images confirm a skeletal class III malocclusion. A: Anteroposterior cephalogram; B: Lateral cephalogram; C: Panoramic radiograph.

Figure 4 Teeth movement changes during treatment. Intraoral photographs during initial alignment. Intraoral photographs demonstrating the application of Ni–Ti alloy wire (ISW) multi-bend edgewise archwire (MEAW). Unlike traditional MEAW, which employs L-loops, the ISW MEAW uses step bends tailored to skeletal class III correction. This adaptation leverages the super-elastic properties of ISW to ensure controlled and effective tooth movement without the patient's comfort being compromised. Intraoral photographs after midline correction, showing well-aligned dental midlines.

Figure 5  Wire + aligner orthodontics refers to a treatment approach that integrates wire-based and aligner-based correction methods.

Figure 6 Posttreatment facial photographs. A: Frontal view at rest; B: Frontal view smiling; C: Lateral view at rest, demonstrating improved facial profile.

Figure 7  Photographs illustrating the transition to wire + aligner orthodontics at the debonding stage, facilitating precise finishing and alignment.

Figure 8  Posttreatment intraoral photographs demonstrating the final occlusal outcome.

Figure 9 Superimposed cephalometric tracings before and after treatment. The retroclination of the lower incisors compensated for skeletal discrepancies. FH: Frankfort horizontal plane; FMIA: Frankfort mandibular incisor angle; SN: Sella–nasion plane; SNA: Sella–nasion–A point; SNB: Sella–nasion–B point.

Figure 10 Panoramic radiographs. A: Anteroposterior cephalometric radiograph; B: Lateral cephalometric radiograph; C: Posttreatment panoramic radiograph, confirming proper dental alignment and root parallelism.

Figure 11  Intraoral images taken at the one-year follow-up, confirming the long-term stability of the occlusal corrections and alignment achieved during treatment.

Figure 12 Superimposition images: before (black) and after (red) treatment. A: Superimposed on sella-nasion plane at sella; B: Superimposed on palatal plane at anterior nasal spine; C: Mandibular plane at menton, showing the retroclination of the lower incisors.

Figure 13  Ni–Ti alloy wire multi-bend edgewise archwire with long class III intermaxillary elastics used for anterior crossbite correction, contributing to controlled retroclination of the lower incisors.

Figure 14 Midline correction achieved through the application of intermaxillary elastics and Ni–Ti alloy wire multi-bend edgewise archwire. IME: intermaxillary elastics; MEAW: Multi-bend edgewise archwire.

Figure 15  Tooth derotation using wire + aligner orthodontics, demonstrating precise control over individual tooth movement.

Figure 16  Lateral profile change after treatment, showing improved soft tissue harmony as evaluated by the E-line assessment.