Nonsurgical Treatment Approach of Class III Malocclusion: A Case Report

Abstract

Management of the Class III malocclusion continues to challenge the practicing orthodontist. Skeletal Class III patients can be treated by either orthopedics, orthodontic camouflage, or orthognathic surgery, depending on the degree of skeletal discrepancy, the skeletal pattern, and the age of the patient. The orthopedic approach for growth modification is usually limited to children with growth remaining and on the other hand Camouflage orthodontic treatment may be performed in patients with a mild skeletal Class III discrepancy with no remaining growth. However, in patients with a severe skeletal, it is necessary to consider a combined surgical/orthodontic approach. The strategy for treating borderline orthodontic cases with camouflage therapy is to create dentoalveolar changes that will compensate for a skeletal base imbalance. This case report describes the nonsurgical treatment approach of a skeletal Class III malocclusion that relied on simple treatment mechanics to effectively improve the patient's profile and esthetics.