Significance of saddle angle in myofunctional therapy: A case series

Abstract

Myofunctional appliances are highly effective in growing patients and are often used to correct jaw discrepancies and promote optimal growth. The twin block appliance is widely considered as the most efficacious myofunctional appliance for treating skeletal class II malocclusion in growing patients. The success of treatment with any myofunctional appliance depends on a variety of factors, including the patient's age, growth status, growth pattern, the specific malocclusion being treated, patient compliance, the type of appliance, and other case selection criteria, such as clinical examination and certain cephalometric parameters that are not typically considered in routine practice. Among cephalometric parameters, the saddle angle is of utmost importance and should always be considered before commencing myofunctional therapy. Patients with a large saddle angle may have a class II skeletal relationship, characterized by a posteriorly positioned mandible. These cases can be more challenging to treat with functional appliances alone and may require additional orthodontic or surgical interventions. This paper presents a detailed description of three cases illustrating the importance of the saddle angle in the success of myofunctional therapy.