The Frankel III (FR-3) Appliance is composed of a system of oral screens which lie in the vestibule of the mouth -- free of direct contact with the dentoalveolar systems. As described by Dr. Frankel, the action of the appliance is to "influence arch development by changing the pressure created by surrounding soft tissue." It has proven effective as a primary treatment appliance in Class III patients with mild, moderate, or severe dentoalveolar, skeletal and/or neuromuscular imbalances -- affecting the skeletal, the dentoalveolar, and the soft tissue components simultaneously. Patient compliance with the Frankel III is typically quite high. It improves the soft tissue profile of the patient with maxillary skeletal retrusion. The purpose of the vestibular shields and upper labial pads are to counteract the forces of the surrounding musculature that tend to restrict forward maxillary skeletal development and cause a retrusion of the maxillary anteriors. The vestibular shields need to be positioned away from the alveolar process of the maxilla, but must fit closely to the tissue of the mandible. This results in stimulation of maxillary alveolar development and restriction of mandibular alveolar development. Because of the importance of growth to the success of the Frankel technique, best results are obtained before the permanent bicuspids and cuspids come into position. Young patients seem to tolerate the appliance very well, allowing treatment to be started at a very early age.