Early Treatment of Class III Malocclusions

Abstract

Class III malocclusions are one of the most difficult malocclusions to be treated. Anyhow, early Class III treatment can be done successfully when proper diagnosis and proper treatment plan are carefully carried out. The treatments are done following the concept of treating at the right place, at the right time with the right appliances. The purposes of early treatment can be causative treatment for dentoalveolar Class III malocclusion. In skeletal Class III malocclusions, growth modification can be done with awareness of limitation in severe cases where orthognathic surgeries are required in later stage. There have been controversies in early treatment of Class III malocclusions, especially whether growth can be modified and if the results will remain stable. There are natural growth and induced growth which cannot be measured separately. The author believes that the treatment outcomes are most crucial for the decision-making of whether to treat early or not. If the treatment outcomes can reduce severity of malocclusions and are satisfactory to both patients and orthodontists, then the interception is worth doing. The author recommends the use of Class III activator of Thomas Rakosi which has shown good treatment outcomes and long-term stability of skeletal changes, for growth modification in skeletal Class III cases and concluded that Class III activator may be a viable mode for initial stage of Class III treatment in conjunction with fixed or removable therapy.