Oct. 9 (Tue.), 2001

10. Summary

The goal of Class III treatment in a growing patient is to achieve dento-alveolar improvement by normalizing the overbite and overjet relationship of the permanent anterior teeth, along with skeletal improvement by stimulating the growth of the under-developed maxilla and/or controlling the excessive growth of the mandible.
KIX Index (APDI/ODI) seems to be one of the useful indicators in determining if the patient has a skeletal mandibular prognathism and if early treatment in the early mixed dentition will be effective in patients with a skeletal Class III problem.

There are important goals and considerations for Phase II treatment:

Goals of Phase II treatment
1. Restoration of a balanced soft tissue profile
2. Reconstruction of a functional or physiological occlusion.
3. Restoration and maintenance of healthy temoporomandibular and oral function
4. Maintenance of good oral hygiene (prevention of periodontal disease)
5. Post-treatment stability

Considerations for Phase II treatment
1. Phase II treatment should be kept short, within 1 to 2 years.
2. A final extraction/non-extraction decision should be made based on soft-tissue profile.
3. Treatment mechanics should be devised in such a way as to achieve treatment goals.
4. The mechanics and occlusal scheme that are kind to the temporomandibular joints should be employed.

Finally, I would like to thank you for your kind attention. I also want to express my appreciation as a moderator for your active participation in the discussion on the theme of ÒEarly treatment and differential diagnosis of Class III malocclusionsÓ.


References

1. Yoneyama K, Matsumoto K: A possibility of early forcase of skeletal crossbite, Nippon Rinsho Kyosei Shikaikai Zasshi, 4, 47-59, 1992
2. Kim YH, Vieteas JJ. Anteroposterior dysplasia indicater: an adjunt to cephalometric differential diagnosis. Am J Orthod @73:619-633,1978
3. Husamettin Oktay. A comparison of ANB, WITS, AF-BF, and APDI measurements. Am J Orthod Dentofac Orthop,99,122-128,1991
4. MaNamara JA, Brudeon WL: Orthodontic and orthopedic treatment in the mixed dentition, Ann Arbor, Mich, 1993, Needham Press.
5. Roberts CA, Subtelny JD: Use of the face mask in the treatment @of maxillary skeletal retrusion, Am J Orthod Dentofac Orthop 93:388-394, 1988.
6. Turley PK: Orthopedic correction of Class III malocclusion with @palatal expansion and custom protraction headgear,J Clin Orthod 22:314-325, 1988.



For further information, questions, comments, etc., contact the author at the following address:

Toru Inami
Inami Orthodontic Office