Retrospective Descriptive Case Series on the Use of AMCOP® Elastodontic Appliance in Growing Patients with Class III Malocclusion

Background This retrospective case series evaluated the descriptive clinical observations of the bio-activator AMCOP® TC in the treatment of growing patients with Class III dento-skeletal malocclusion. In recent years, elastodontic appliances have been introduced as an evolution of conventional functional appliances. Elastodontic therapy could be an excellent therapeutic alternative in the early treatment of patients with Class III dento-skeletal malocclusion. Aim This retrospective experimental study evaluated the descriptive clinical observations of the bio-activator AMCOP® TC in the treatment of patients with Class III dento-skeletal malocclusion and described four clinical cases. Materials and methods The study included 11 subjects (5 males and 6 females, aged between 3 and 12 years) treated with the AMCOP® TC bio-activator for Class III dento-skeletal malocclusion. Patients used the AMCOP® TC device for two hours in the afternoon and all night for 6–8 months and then only at night. For each patient, cephalometric analyses were performed on latero-lateral teleradiographs both at the beginning of treatment (T0) and at the end of treatment (T1). Analyses were performed using DeltaDent® software. Conclusions Cephalometric observations between T0 and T1 showed changes in sagittal relationship parameters, including ANB values; however, these findings should be interpreted cautiously. Elastodontic therapy with an AMCOP® TC appliance improved the correction of a Class III dento-skeletal malocclusion and postural restoration of the first cervical vertebrae. Although further studies are needed, AMCOP® TC bio-activators may be considered a possible interceptive treatment approach in selected growing patients; however, the present findings should be interpreted with caution. Findings should be considered preliminary and interpreted with caution.