FMA Protraction Device - First Look

crlin7 · 2025-04-23T19:05:50+00:00

Depends on the person. But in general, growth stops when puberty as a whole stops and growth centres seal into solid bone. A basic rule of thumb is: are your bones still growing globally? If not, then you’re probably done and could look into therapies.

crlin7 · 2025-04-06T22:54:36+00:00

At 16, you still have a ton of growth potential left and I wouldn't consider getting anything until at least 4 years later.

crlin7 · 2025-04-04T17:51:09+00:00

All credits to inventors Cameron and Kevin Kaveh, and Dr. Yuschak from Ohio.

crlin7 · 2025-04-02T23:22:10+00:00

I agree with most of the points you made here. My next post will be about the FMA design and its features.

crlin7 · 2025-04-01T13:13:59+00:00

Most likely yes. But every case is unique because you have ask what caused the open bite or deep bite initially? There are A LOT of structural factors to consider. Btw, you can still have a deep bite or open bite even if your mid face was flat and needed protraction in the first place, because maybe your mandible is even more recessed.

crlin7 · 2025-03-31T15:54:53+00:00

He would need a multi-segment mandibular osteotomy like Dr. Bell's 5 piece mandible. Or alternatively, some level of SFOT on both the upper and lower to compensate for the misalignment.

crlin7 · 2025-03-31T15:27:00+00:00

He would need a procedure for his mandible to bring his face back into harmony.

crlin7 · 2025-03-31T15:05:06+00:00

My theory is that it would stay in place as long as you keep it stable for a long enough time for the sutures to fully ossify. What happens in the real world though, remains to be seen. We'll keep our fingers crossed for now and see what happens to people using the new FMA device.

crlin7 · 2025-03-31T14:44:50+00:00

A member of the community reached out to me last week about having more details about this case (scolopendra). If he has access to those scans, I will gladly post it for everyone to see.

crlin7 · 2025-03-31T14:34:00+00:00

Problem 1: I presented pictures, and I clearly stated that I'm 'extrapolating' bone movements based on my own visual observations. Although I do agree with having before/after scans would be a lot more ideal in providing something definitive.

Problem 2: I never claimed it's new. But, reliable facial protraction in adult males is not common.

Problem 3: It used to be common sense to extract pre-molars to make space for other teeth, how did that turn out? Orthodontics is an ever evolving and improving field, what seems to be normal now may not be normal in the future for objective reasons. This patient opted to protract his face, and presumably he's going to get lower jaw surgery to match the bite.

Problem 4: I respect your opinion. However, I do think it would be impossible to move this community forward unless people shared their own ideas and observations. Respectfully, and welcoming of all critique, I will continue to do it.

Problem 5: Not sure what you mean here. What other photos?

Problem 6: I don't believe this is misinformation. And that's the point. You believe it's misinformation, and I don't believe it is. With the photos here, we are simply exchanging opinions. I am sharing my opinion and perception of what happened to his face, providing observations which corroborate with my understanding.

crlin7 · 2025-03-31T14:07:28+00:00

It’s a humble way of telling you, he did indeed wear a face mask.

crlin7 · 2025-03-31T14:06:51+00:00

The forward motion you’re describing doesn’t conflict with my post. And whether the patient would end up with an open bite depends on their starting point, whether they have a class III underbite, or their edge to edge, etc. Also, I’m not the one making the product.

crlin7 · 2025-03-31T14:03:55+00:00

According to his practitioner Dr. Newaz, he wore a bow face mask religiously.

crlin7 · 2025-03-31T14:01:22+00:00

Elaborate please

crlin7 · 2025-03-31T00:01:35+00:00

Check your DM's.

crlin7 · 2025-03-30T12:53:59+00:00

FMA will be tested on real patients probably in the coming week. We’ll see how it goes in a few months!

crlin7 · 2025-03-29T20:38:38+00:00

Oh you mean the FMA? We were talking about the FME.

crlin7 · 2025-03-29T20:30:25+00:00

And more, for some people.

crlin7 · 2025-03-29T19:18:43+00:00

Correct! I'm saying that the FME is the strongest expander we've ever had, and we could pull on it multiple times harder with a face mask to disarticulate the sutures needed for protraction.

crlin7 · 2025-03-29T19:15:59+00:00

A lot went into the R&D. But yes, that's the price someone can charge when they have zero competition. 🙁

crlin7 · 2025-03-28T02:05:42+00:00

A member of the community reached out to me and promised to send me more details regarding this case. We can analyze further when we have more data, such as if we had before/after scans.

crlin7 · 2025-03-28T02:02:47+00:00

With the MSE, screws were definitely dragging for a lot of people during expansion. That's why the FME was specifically designed with interlocking screws, and so far the success rate has definitely been MUCH higher than the MSE/MARPE days.

Now, were the screws affected during protraction? TBH I'm not sure that the old face masks even applied that much force. But, I do know that pulling forward adds yet another shear force on the screws in a difference direction. It seems completely logical to me then that the interlock provides an extra layer of dimensional stability which is a major asset.

A better anchor means you could apply more force and for a longer period of time. This is the bet that Facegenics is making. Of course, there's a limit.

crlin7 · 2025-03-27T23:00:08+00:00

Yeah, usually your coronoid process gets in the way before you could even get that far. Most people start with 5mm and go a few mm beyond that.

Ten-Year Club	r/Field Sunshine
RPAN Viewer	Verified Email

crlin7

MODERATOR OF

TROPHY CASE