The Hybrid Hyrax Distalizer, a new all-in-one appliance for rapid palatal expansion, early class III treatment and upper molar distalization

Growing class III patients with maxillary deficiency may be treated with a maxillary protraction facemask. Because the force generated by this appliance is applied to the teeth, the inevitable mesial migration of the dentition can result in anterior crowding, incisor proclination and a possible need for subsequent extraction therapy. The Hybrid Hyrax appliance, anchored on mini-implants in the anterior palate, can be used to overcome these side-effects during the facemask therapy. In some class III cases, there is also a need for subsequent distalization after the orthopaedic treatment. In this paper, clinical application of the Hybrid Hyrax Distalizer is described, facilitating both orthopaedic advancement of the maxilla and simultaneous orthodontic distalization of the maxillary molars.