Orthodontic-surgical treatment of the skeletal class III malocclusion: a case report

Background. Class III malocclusions are considered to be ones of the most difficult problems to treat. Their causes are multifactorial and include genetic and/or environmental factors. Class III malocclusions are generally classified into 2 categories: skeletal and dental. The diagnosis is important due to the different treatment approaches. Generally a dental class III can be treated with orthodontics alone, while a true skeletal class III requires a combination of orthodontics and surgery. Case report. We presented a female patient with skeletal Class III malocclusion. The treatment was complete with positive overbite and acceptable occlusion using a combination of fixed orthodontic appliance treatment as well as the surgical operation. The patient was happy with her new appearance and function. Conclusion. Class III discrepancy should be diagnosed and classified according to its etiology and treated with appropriate surgery, including, if necessary, not only mandibular, but also maxillary surgery, in order to achieve a normal facial appearance. In any case, as the field of orthodontics continues to develop technologically and philosophically, we can expect that advances in diagnosis and treatment planning are imminent and inevitable.