Treatment classification of Class III malocclusion

The purpose of this study was to identify Class III malocclusions within a pediatric practice that lend themselves to a more favorable treatment outcome at an earlier age (before 10 years) rather than initiating treatment at later adolescent growth stages and also to identify the degree of difficulty of the treatment of the Class III malocclusion.

Review of the current dental literature pertaining to the different clinical types of Class III malocclusions and their respective treatment protocols was performed. Various classification systems were studied and compared. A new treatment classification system of Class III malocclusions utilizing three dentoalveolar and three skeletal components combined with cephalometric information derived from commonly used cephalometric analyses was developed.

Class III treatment types were conclusively identified: 1.) Early orthodontics only, 2.) Early combined orthodontics and orthopedics, 3.) Combined orthodontics and orthognathic surgery.

The conclusion supports Edward H. Angle's finding: "In studying a case of malocclusion, give no thought to the methods of treatment or appliances until the case shall have been classified and all peculiarities and variations from the normal type, occlusion and facial lines have been thoroughly comprehended. Then the requirements and proper plan of treatment becomes apparent".