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Types of Protraction Face Masks

Protraction face masks are used for a variety of orthopedic uses; the most popular being cleft lip, palate and class III malocclusions. They are used by orthopedists and orthodontists to correct underbites, where the lower jaw is too forward, causing distance between the top and bottom sets of teeth. In these instances, they are also referred to as reverse-pull headgear.

  1. Adjustable Dynamic Protraction Facemask

    • Designed by Dr. Fernando Morales, an orthodontist in Mexico City, this mask offers several benefits due to adjustments to the original design of the Petit face mask. This particular option offers more comfort with a modifiable horizontal crossbar and a smaller-than-normal forehead rest and chin cup, which align more accurately to the anatomy of a patient. The mask exhibits a patient's full range of motion while providing no restrictions during the opening and closing of a mouth. Metal supports provide necessary counter-pressure for even the most rigid of elastic bands. All components of this mask are fully adjustable, conforming to each patient's particular skeletal frame.

      AD Protraction Facemask
      Ormco Corp.
      1717 W. Collins Ave.
      Orange, CA 92867
      714-516-7400
      ormco.com

    Grummons Protraction Facemask

    • The Grummons Face Mask has a few differences when compared to the AD mask. While the AD uses a forehead rest and chin cup, the Grummons chooses the forehead and cheeks to supply the pressure needed to fix the malocclusion. The Grummons also uses a full head encompassing system, called a high pull head cap, whereas the AD does not. A metal bow is used with the Grummons design, which stretches horizontally along the mouth to secure bands. AD uses a vertical approach where a metal rod bisects the face and a small but sturdy appliance attached to the horizontal chin cup secures the needed bands.

      Grummons Protraction Face Mask
      Great Lakes Orthodontics, Ltd.
      200 Cooper Ave., P.O. Box 5111
      Tonawanda, NY 14151
      800-828-7626
      greatlakesortho.com

    Phantom Reverse Pull Facemask

    • The Phantom is much like the AD design. It utilizes a chin cup, places pressure in similar areas and is fully adjustable, but like the Grummons design, the wires operate horizontally. Unlike the other two models, this model is specific to treating cleft lip and palate before any orthodontic corrections are made.

      Phantom Reverse Pull Facemask
      Ortho-Byte.com
      P.O. Box 9627
      Wilmington, DE 19809
      866-641-2128
      ortho-byte.com

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