Treatment of Class III malocclusion is one of the most important challenges for the practicing orthodontist. This lecture will focus on those factors that can help the clinician to improve the long-term efficacy of early Class III treatment with rapid maxillary expansion and facemask (RME/FM). In particular, the role of treatment timing (very early versus early treatment) and of individual patient responsiveness on the long-term outcomes of RME/FM will be discussed. The results of a recent study on the role of mandibular morphology as a pre-treatment prognostic feature for the prediction of successful or unsuccessful long-term outcomes of RME/FM therapy also will be illustrated.
Learning Objectives:
After this lecture, attendees will be able to:
Outline the role of those patient-related factors that can help the clinician to improve the long-term efficacy of Class III treatment.
Evaluate the role of treatment timing on the long-term outcomes of RME/FM therapy.
Recognize the importance of evaluating mandibular morphology as a pre-treatment prognostic feature for the prediction of successful or unsuccessful long-term outcomes of RME/FM therapy.
