Bionator

• Bionator was developed by “Wilham Balters“.
• Bionator is less bulky than activator and can be worn all the time except during meals.

“Understanding the role of the Bionator in correcting malocclusions”

• He also said that position of tongue causes certain type of malocclusion.
• Posterior displacement causes class 2 malocclusion while anterior displacement causes class 3 malocclusion.
• The principle of bionator is not to activate the muscles but to modulate muscle activity, thereby enhancing the normal development of the inherent growth pattern.

• Standard appliance: It corrects Class 2 division 1 malocclusion.
• Screening appliance: Eliminates abnormal tongue movements in open bite cases.
• Reverse appliance: Treats Class 3 malocclusion.

• Thickness of acrylic block should be minimum and thickness should not reach over tongue space.
• Acrylic begins from distal part of maxillary canine to 2mm behind distal aspect of fist molar.
• Only 2 to 3 mm of mucosa should be covered at above gingival margins of maxillary and mandibular teeth buccally.
• Joining of upper and lower part is done by interocclusal acrylic block which extends to half the area of occlusal surface of teeth.

• Palatal Arch
  • Made up of 1.2 mm wire.
  • Origin is near to upper canine.
  • From upper canine it moves vertically to palatal vault.
  • As it moves it join a line at center of fist premolar or deciduous fist molar and turns at distal aspect forming a loop.
  • Extension is till the distal aspect of fist molar.
  • The loop formed is of egg shape, horizontal and lie 1mm above the mucosa.
  • Loop should follow contours of palate.
  • This arch cannot be activated.

“Steps to explain the design of the Bionator appliance”

• Vestibular Arch
  • Made up of 0.9 mm wire.
  • Labial portion of arch should be shaped so that it should not touch the surface of incisor teeth.
  • Distal to lateral incisor wire should bend downward and distal for forming buccinator loop.
  • Buccinator loop prevent pressure of cheek to act over buccal segment which leads to passive expansion of arch.
  • Extension of buccinators loop is till the embrasure in between deciduous second molar and permanent first molar in upper arch.
  • Here it forms a 90° round bend and run from all the crowns to embrasure between canine and deciduous first molar or fist premolar.
  • At deciduous fist molar or premolar it is merged to acrylic.

• It is weared in both day and night and should be removed during meals.
• Time interval between appointments is 3 to 4 weeks.

• In class 2 division 1 malocclusion because of retruded mandible.
• In class 3 malocclusion
• In open bite due to functional causes.

• Class 2 relationship due to maxillary prognathism.
• In vertical growth pattern.
• In labially tipped lower incisors.
• In anterior crowding.

• Appliance is less bulky.
• Can be worn full time except during meals.
• Appliance exerts a constant inflence on the tongue and perioral muscles.