Class III skeletal malocclusion
What is a class III bite…???
Class III malocclusion is referred to forwardly protruding lower jaw causing it to overlap the upper jaw. The dental class III bite is the overlapping of the dentition alone while when the lower jaw itself is protruding than the upper jaw it is referred to as class III skeletal malocclusion. Class III is where the lower first molar is anterior (or more towards the front of the mouth) than the upper first molar. In this abnormal relationship, the lower teeth and jaw project further forward than the upper teeth and jaws. Orthognathic surgeries have given the best result for class III skeletal malocclusion treatment.
What are the causes…???
- Hereditary.
- Differences in the size of the upper and lower jaw.
- Differences in the size of tooth and jaw.
- Birth defects such as cleft lip and cleft palate.
- Childhood habits such as thumb sucking and tongue thrusting.
- Prolonged bottle feeding.
- Presence of extra teeth.
- Misalignments caused due to trauma and pathologies.
skeletal malocclusion Treatment…!!!
As mentioned above skeletal class III is a result of the retruded maxilla and the prognathic mandible or the combination of both. Whatever may be the cause of proper treatment planning can give the best results. Patients often approached Richardsons Dental and Craniofacial Hospital with a complaint of poor facial appearance. Proper surgery planning and patient cooperation can lead to a perfect result.
skeletal malocclusion Treatment planning:
- Complete oral prophylaxis.
- Recording the upper and lower jaw impressions and making model cast out of it.
- Marking the desired occlusion on the cast and preparing an occlusal splint out of it, which will guide the whole surgery to get the upper and lower segments in the desired occlusion.
- Recently we had a patient with a combination of maxillary retrusion and mandibular prognathism, hence we planned for le fort I advancement in the maxilla and bringing it forward by.
- And BSSO (Bilateral Sagittal Spit osteotomy) setback for mandible and pushing it backward by around 4mm.
- And secured the segments using titanium plates and screws.