What is the best time to start treating skeletal Class 3 malocclusions? Role of the general dentist. Part 2

Giving Sydney Great Smiles

In this Part 2 of the Q&A with Dr Diane Tay, Sydney Orthodontist Dr Andrew Chang discusses and outlines treatment options for Class 3 based upon the dental developmental stages: Primary Mixed Permanent/adult And the 12-21 yrs age group whom are generally too late for early orthodontic treatment and their jaw growth is not complete. Takeaway messages are: the 6-8 years age group is better to start early orthodontic treatment Early Orthodontic Treatment does reduce the severity of skeletal Class 3's and the incidence of jaw surgery later For the 12-21 years age group, watch for the long face Class 3's. These are difficult to treat. General strategies are to start later, when their jaw growth is complete. 2 situations of when to treat early in this age group are indicated: Accompanying signs of a narrow jaw. Signs of traumatic incisor occlusion ie: wear or teeth mobility.