Class III compensatory treatment: a review study

Abstract

To carry out a literature review in order to discuss the use of compensatory or non-surgical alternatives in the treatment of Class III malocclusion. A narrative literature review was carried out, including publications from the last 10 years, related to the objective listed in this research, in portuguese or english and available in full text. Duplicate articles were excluded. The descriptors used for research in the databases were: tooth extraction, Angle Class III malocclusion, orthodontics, crossbite. Data were extracted from articles/publications with different methodological designs, mostly from clinical case reports. According to the review of the literature reviewed, it was evident that the Class III compensatory treatment requires great patient compliance, either because of the need for surgical intervention to provide the impacted teeth, or because of the need for demanding use of a face mask and Class elastic bands. III. For such a choice, the degree of skeletal discrepancy, the skeletal pattern and the age of the patient must be taken into account. Regarding the indicated procedures, rapid maxillary disjunction, extraction of canines or premolars and use of elastics were the most reported by the authors. According to the literature reviewed, it was possible to conclude that the orthodontist is usually the key person when deciding on the following treatment categories: orthodontic only, orthopedic and orthodontic (with a view to modifying growth) and orthodontic and surgical.