Camouflage Orthodontic Treatment of a Severe Class III Malocclusion

Class III malocclusion remains the most challenging occlusal problem to treat due to the complexity of the interrelationships of the underlying skeletal and dental structures. Camouflage orthodontic treatment is a preferred alternative method used to manage mild to moderate Class III malocclusion in nongrowing patients. The aim of this article was to demonstrate a camouflage orthodontic treatment of a 22-year-old female patient diagnosed as having a severe skeletal Class III malocclusion characterized by a straight facial profile, reverse overjet, crowded maxillary incisors, retrognathic maxilla, prognathic mandible, and a hypodivergent facial pattern. The initial diagnosis suggested orthognathic surgery, but the patient preferred the alternative treatment. The treatment approach chosen was nonextraction camouflage orthodontic treatment combined with Class III elastics. At the end of treatment, the canines and molars were in a Class I relationship, while the incisors presented a normal overjet and overbite relationship. The maxillary and mandibular midlines corresponded with each other and with the midsagittal plane, and the smile aesthetics were improved. The facial profile was slightly improved, and the vertical face height was also slightly increased with treatment. The treatment results were maintained 15 months after treatment. It was concluded that camouflage orthodontic treatment can be used as an effective alternative method to achieve acceptable dentofacial aesthetics, functional occlusion, and stability in treating an adult patient diagnosed with severe skeletal Class III malocclusion characterized by a retrognathic maxilla, prognathic mandible, and a hypodivergent facial pattern.