Adaptive response of the human dental alveolar process

Correction of a Class I protrusive and mutilated dentition, with 32-year follow-up

Decker, Jay D.
Chen, Curtis

^aProfessor, Department of Orthodontics, University of Washington, Seattle
^bDirector, Division of Oral Radiology, Department of Dental Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle

^*Reprint requests to: Jay D. Decker, 2226 79th Ave NE, Medina WA 98039; e-mai, [email protected]

The authors report no commercial, proprietary, or financial interest in the products or companies described in the article.

Submitted, June 2005; revised and accepted, April 2007.

American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics 135(4):p S113-S122, April 2009.

A healthy young woman with a severe Class I dental malocclusion and extreme maxillary arch protrusion was treated with conventional edgewise-arch fixed appliance therapy. Four first premolars were removed, and the mandibular second and third molars were moved into positions normally occupied by the mandibular first and second molars. Diagnostic records at ages 17 years 5 months, 22 years 11 months, and 54 years 8 months are presented. (These pretreatment and posttreatment records were presented to the American Board of Orthodontics in 1976 in partial fulfillment of its requirements for the certification process.)