Preface

This new eBook is a clinical text with plentiful illustrations to highlight both research findings, as well as clinical treatment of patients with Class III malocclusions. In addition, the craniofacial biology behind the various treatment strategies will empower clinicians with a sound knowledge for treatment of Class III problems. Contemporary orthodontic appliances, using micro-implants as anchorage, provide new avenues in the treatment of Class III patients. This text has appeal for both academicians and clinicians, but the targeted readership involves all practicing professionals in the field of orthodontics globally. The prevalence of Class III malocclusion is higher in Southern Asia countries. The international expertise addressing this important clinical area will be particularly appealing to clinicians throughout the world where there is a high influx of Asians with Class III malocclusions.

This book is broadly divided into five parts. Part I of the book introduces the Class III skeletal growth pattern and the genetics of mandibular prognathism. Since chincaps, facemasks and Class III elastics are routinely used for modifying Class III growth patterns, it is appropriate to update the readers on the biologic response of the mandibular condyle to orthopedic/orthodontic forces. Part II focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of Class III malocclusions in the growing patients. There are three main treatment options for skeletal Class III malocclusion: growth modification, dentoalveolar compensation, and orthognathic surgery. The authors present guidelines for choosing among these treatment options. The emphasis is on the discriminative diagnosis and the characteristic procedures of each treatment option. A systematic review on the current literature on the stability of early treatment was included and a novel approach for using micro-implants for early orthopedic treatment was introduced. Part III focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of Class III malocclusion in nongrowing patients. This part introduced the use of self-ligating bracket system and temporary anchorage devices (TAD) to camouflage adult patients with mild to moderate Class III malocclusion. The use of TAD facilitates the treatment for specific types of Class III malocclusion and expands the range of orthodontic camouflage treatment. Patients with severe Class III malocclusion will require orthognathic surgery to correct the deformity. A significant number of these patients have mandibular asymmetry. The authors will present a contemporary way to treat these patients with combined orthodontics and orthognathic surgery. Part IV provides plentiful illustrations to guide the readers on the treatment of non-growing Class III patients, with camouflage to lingual treatment. The last portion of the text provides clinical insight and concerns relative the treatment of dentoalveolar craniofacial anomalies. The emphasis is on the scar-associated physiological and developmental problems that plague the orthodontic treatment of cleft lip and palate orthodontic patients. We would like to thank Dr. Araujo Eustaquio for writing the foreword and Bentham Science Publishers, particularly Manager Publication Aniza Naveed, for their support and efforts.