Management of Skeletal Class III Malocclusion in Permanent Dentition: A Case Report
Keywords:
Skeletal Class III, Anterior crossbite, Alt-RAMEC, Facemask therapyAbstract
Skeletal Class IlI malocclusion, particularly in late-diagnosed patients, presents challenges in achieving optimal facial aesthetics and function. This case report described the successful orthodontic treatment of a young female patient with this condition. The patient presented with an anterior crossbite, deep overbite, and a concave facial profile. Cephalometric analysis confirmed a skeletal Class III pattern due to a retrognathic maxilla. Treatment employed the Alt-RAMEC protocol for four weeks, followed by protraction facemask therapy and fixed appliance mechanics to achieve proper tooth alignment and occlusion. Treatment resulted in significant improvement in the maxilla's position (anteroposterior), masticatory function, and a Class I canine and molar relationship bilaterally. The patient's smile and facial profile also showed noticeable improvement. This case demonstrates the successful application of the Alt-RAMEC protocol for growth modification in a late-diagnosed Class III patient, emphasizing the importance of patient compliance.
References
Williams S, Andersen CE. The morphology of the potential Class III skeletal pattern in the growing child. Am J Orthod 1986;89(4):302-11.
Zere E, Chaudhari PK, Sharan J, Dhingra K, Tiwari N. Developing Class III malocclusions: challenges and solutions. Clin Cosmet Investig Dent 2018;10:99-116.
Alhammadi MS, Halboub E, Fayed MS, Labib A, El-Saaidi C. Global distribution of malocclusion traits: A systematic review. Dental Press J Orthod 2018;23(6):40 e1- e10.
Hardy D. Prevalence of angle class III malocclusion: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Open Journal of Epidemiology 2012;02:75-82.
Ngan P, Hu AM, Fields HW, Jr. Treatment of Class III problems begins with differential diagnosis of anterior crossbites. Pediatr Dent 1997;19(6):386-95.
Liou EJ. Effective maxillary orthopedic protraction for growing Class III patients: a clinical application simulates distraction osteogenesis. Prog Orthod 2005;6(2):154-71.
Fishman LS. Radiographic evaluation of skeletal maturation. A clinically oriented method based on hand-wrist films. Angle Orthod 1982;52(2):88-112.
Woon SC, Thiruvenkatachari B. Early orthodontic treatment for Class III malocclusion: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Am J Orthod Dentofacial Orthop 2017;151(1):28-52.
Masucci C, Franchi L, Defraia E, Mucedero M, Cozza P, Baccetti T. Stability of rapid maxillary expansion and facemask therapy: a long-term controlled study. Am J Orthod Dentofacial Orthop 2011;140(4):493-500.
Anne Mandall N, Cousley R, DiBiase A, Dyer F, Littlewood S, Mattick R, et al. Is early Class III protraction facemask treatment effective? A multicentre, randomized, controlled trial: 3-year follow-up. J Orthod 2012;39(3):176-85.
Sarangal H, Namdev R, Garg S, Saini N, Singhal P. Treatment modalities for early management of Class III skeletal malocclusion: a case series. Contemp Clin Dent 2020;11(1):91-6.
Baldini A, Nota A, Santariello C, Caruso S, Assi V, Ballanti F, et al. Sagittal dentoskeletal modifications associated with different activation protocols of rapid maxillary expansion. Eur J Paediatr Dent 2018;19(2): 151-5.
Moullas AT, Palomo JM, Gass JR, Amberman BD, White J, Gustovich D. Nonsurgical treatment of a patient with a Class IlI malocclusion. Am J Orthod Dentofacial Orthop 2006;129(4 Suppl):S111-8.
Bock NC, Klewitz H, Hudel H, Ruf S. Removable plate treatment of anterior forced crossbite: Effectiveness, efficiency, and potential outcome predictors. J Orofac Orthop 2015;76(4):283-93.
Seehra J, Fleming PS, Mandall N, Dibiase AT. A comparison of two different techniques for early correction of Class IlI malocclusion. Angle Orthod 2012;82(1):96-101.
Mandall N, Cousley R, DiBiase A, Dyer F, Littlewood S, Mattick R, et al. Early class III protraction facemask treatment reduces the need for orthognathic surgery: a multi-centre, two-arm parallel randomized, controlled trial. J Orthod 2016;43(3):164-75.
Vaughn GA, Mason B, Moon HB, Turley PK. The effects of maxillary protraction therapy with or without rapid palatal expansion: a prospective, randomized clinical trial. Am J Orthod Dentofacial Orthop 2005;128(3):299-309.
Liu W, Zhou Y, Wang X, Liu D, Zhou S. Effect of maxillary protraction with alternating rapid palatal expansion and constriction vs expansion alone in maxillary retrusive patients: a single-center, randomized controlled trial. Am J Orthod Dentofacial Orthop 2015;148(4):641-51.
Zhao T, Hua F, He H. Alternate rapid maxillary expansion and constriction (Alt-RAMEC) may be more effective than rapid maxillary expansion alone for protraction facial mask treatment. J Evid Based Dent Pract 2020;20(2):101408.
Pangrazio-Kulbersh V, Berger JL, Janisse FN, Bayirli B. Long-term stability of Class III treatment: rapid palatal expansion and protraction facemask vs LeFort I maxillary advancement osteotomy. Am J Orthod Dentofacial Orthop 2007;131(1):7.e9-19.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Department of Medical Services, Ministry of Public Health

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
บทความที่ได้รับการตีพิมพ์เป็นลิขสิทธิ์ของกรมการแพทย์ กระทรวงสาธารณสุข
ข้อความและข้อคิดเห็นต่างๆ เป็นของผู้เขียนบทความ ไม่ใช่ความเห็นของกองบรรณาธิการหรือของวารสารกรมการแพทย์