Frankel FR-III

The Frankel FR-III reverses the FR-I/II design — lip pads are placed in the upper anterior vestibule and buccal shields in the lower arch. This reverse configuration is specifically engineered for Class III malocclusion (mandibular prognathism or maxillary hypoplasia).

• Upper Lip Pads — Tear-drop acrylic pads in the upper anterior vestibule • Lower Buccal Shields — Acrylic shields in the lower vestibular folds • Occlusal Rests — On lower first molars to prevent eruption • Palatal Bow — 1.2mm SS wire (same as FR-I) • Labial Bow — 1.0mm SS wire on lower incisors

Upper lip pads stimulate maxillary protraction by eliminating the restrictive effect of the upper lip. Lower buccal shields limit mandibular forward growth. Occlusal rests prevent molar eruption that would worsen the Class III relationship. The reverse wire-and-shield arrangement is critical — using FR-I/II for Class III would worsen the condition.

1. Deep impressions with full vestibular depth — upper and lower 2. Construction bite: Edge-to-edge or slight overcorrection 3. 3D-print models 4. Bend wire framework — inverted from FR-I 5. Position upper lip pads at the depth of the upper labial vestibule 6. Position lower buccal shields in lower vestibular folds 7. Flask, process, trim 8. QC: Verify reverse configuration, lip pad position, shield depth

• Wire: ASTM F899 SS — 1.2mm palatal bow, 1.0mm labial bow • Lip pads: 2-3mm from alveolar bone, upper anterior position • Lower shields: Full vestibular extension without over-extension • Occlusal rests: 0.8mm SS wire, passive contact on lower molars • QC: Configuration verification (FR-III is reversed), passive fit check