Effect of Face Mask Therapy on Blood Oxygen Levels

Skeletal Class III malocclusions are characterized by maxillary retrusion, mandibular protrusion, or a combination of both. In growing individuals presenting with maxillary deficiency, the face mask appliance is widely recognized as one of the most effective and frequently utilized orthopedic interventions. The primary objective of face mask therapy is to stimulate forward and downward growth of the maxilla by disarticulating and activating the circummaxillary sutural system. The application of protraction forces via a face mask results in anterior displacement of the maxillary dentition, accompanied by lingual inclination of the mandibular incisors. Orthopedic effects of the appliance typically include forward and downward movement of the maxilla with a slight degree of upward rotation, posterior dental extrusion, and backward rotation of the mandible. Numerous studies have demonstrated that combining rapid maxillary expansion (RME) with face mask therapy enhances skeletal outcomes, especially when initiated during the early stages of growth. Delayed intervention is often associated with reduced orthopedic responsiveness. Foersch et al. evaluated the effects of pre-treatment rapid maxillary expansion on face mask therapy outcomes and concluded that expansion positively influences sagittal skeletal changes. In the absence of expansion, greater dental compensation was observed, particularly in the transverse dimension. From a clinical standpoint, anterior crossbite correction can typically be achieved within approximately 3 to 4 months, depending on the severity of the malocclusion. However, establishing a stable overbite and molar relationship usually requires an additional 4 to 6 months of treatment. A prospective clinical study analyzing treatment outcomes in Class III patients reported that overjet correction occurred through 31% maxillary advancement, 21% mandibular retraction, 28% labial proclination of the maxillary incisors, and 20% lingual retroclination of