Class III malocclusion, frequently recognized as reversed overbite or underbite, is one of the most challenging dental-facial abnormalities in orthodontic therapy. The outcome of orthodontic treatments could be compromised or unpredictable especially when the discrepancy has been established in advanced stage. At that point, surgical interventions with heavy orthodontic mechanics are usually required to correct the severe skeletal deformity. Fortunately, most Class III malocclusions can be treated easily and remain stable if the problem is corrected in the very early stage. In this presentation, we will discuss why it is important to treat Class III malocclusion early, the best timing to correct underbite and the application of different mechanics to achieve stable results.
Learning Objectives:
After this session, attendees will be able to:
Distinguish dental, skeletal or combined Class III malocclusion.
Outline when Class III patients need to be treated.
Identify the different types of orthodontic therapy available in various types of Class III malocclusions.
