Class III malocclusion: a systematic review of diagnosis, therapeutic options, and the multidisciplinary approach to improve prognosis
Keywords:
Class III malocclusion, mandibular prognathism, orthodontic treatment, maxillofacial surgery, radiographic evaluationAbstract
Class III malocclusion, or mandibular prognathism, is a complex dentofacial anomaly that affects both functional performance and facial aesthetics. Its etiology is multifactorial, involving a combination of genetic, environmental, and functional factors. This article presents a systematic review of recent literature to analyze the core aspects of this condition, ranging from clinical and imaging diagnosis to available therapeutic options. It covers both conservative orthodontic treatments and orthognathic surgery, while also considering the psychological and social impacts of this condition. The evidence suggests that a multidisciplinary approach, supported by early diagnosis and timely intervention, significantly improves the patient's prognosis and overall quality of life.
Downloads
References
Arnett, G. W., & Gunson, M. J. (2004). Facial planning for orthodontists and oral surgeons. American journal of orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics: official publication of the American Association of Orthodontists, its constituent societies, and the American Board of Orthodontics, 126(3), 290–295. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajodo.2004.06.006
Bailey, L., Cevidanes, L. H., & Proffit, W. R. (2004). Stability and predictability of orthognathic surgery. American journal of orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics: official publication of the American Association of Orthodontists, its constituent societies, and the American Board of Orthodontics, 126(3), 273–277. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0889540604005207
Cunningham, S. J. (1999). The psychology of facial appearance. Dental update, 26(10), 438–443. https://doi.org/10.12968/denu.1999.26.10.438
De Clerck, H. J., & Proffit, W. R. (2015). Growth modification of the face: A current perspective with emphasis on Class III treatment. American journal of orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics: official publication of the American Association of Orthodontists, its constituent societies, and the American Board of Orthodontics, 148(1), 37–46. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajodo.2015.04.017
Ellis, E., & McNamara, J. A. (1984). Components of adult Class III open-bite malocclusion. American journal of orthodontics, 86(4), 277–290. https://doi.org/10.1016/0002-9416(84)90138-6
Fishman, L. S. (1982). Radiographic evaluation of skeletal maturation. A clinically oriented method based on hand-wrist films. The Angle orthodontist, 52(2), 88–112. https://doi.org/10.1043/0003-3219(1982)052<0088:REOSM>2.0.CO;2
Hajeer, M., Ayoub, A., Millett, D., Bock, M., & Siebert, J. (2004). Applications of 3D imaging in orthodontics: Part I. Journal of Orthodontics, 31(1), 62–70. https://doi.org/10.1179/146531204225011346
Inglehart, M., & Bagramian, R. (2002). Oral health-related quality of life. Quintessence Publishing.
Jang, I., Tanaka, M., Koga, Y., Iijima, S., Yozgatian, J. H., Nakamura, Y., et al. (2009). A novel method for the assessment of three-dimensional lip-line cant. The Angle Orthodontist, 78(4), 660–666. https://doi.org/10.2319/042007-173.1
Kapila, S., & Nervina, J. (2015). CBCT in orthodontics: Assessment of treatment outcomes and indications for its use. Dentomaxillofacial Radiology, 44(1), 20140282. https://doi.org/10.1259/dmfr.20140282
Kim, J. H., Viana, M. A., Graber, T. M., Omerza, F. F., & BeGole, E. A. (1999). The effectiveness of protraction face mask therapy: a meta-analysis. American journal of orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics: official publication of the American Association of Orthodontists, its constituent societies, and the American Board of Orthodontics, 115(6), 675–685. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0889-5406(99)70294-5
Kiyak, H. A., Hohl, T., West, R. A., & McNeill, R. W. (1984). Psychologic changes in orthognathic surgery patients: a 24-month follow up. Journal of oral and maxillofacial surgery : official journal of the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, 42(8), 506–512. https://doi.org/10.1016/0278-2391(84)90009-0
Proffit, W. (2013). Contemporary orthodontics (5th ed.). Mosby Elsevier.
Proffit, W. R., White, R. P., & Sarver, D. M. (2002). Contemporary treatment of dentofacial deformity. Mosby.
Singh, G., McNamara, J., & Lozanoff, S. (1997). Morphometry of the craniofacial complex in subjects with Class III malocclusion. Journal of Dental Research, 76(2), 694–703. https://doi.org/10.1177/00220345970760021101
Vaughn, G. A., Mason, B., Moon, H. B., & Turley, P. K. (2005). The effects of maxillary protraction therapy with or without rapid palatal expansion: a prospective, randomized clinical trial. American journal of orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics: official publication of the American Association of Orthodontists, its constituent societies, and the American Board of Orthodontics, 128(3), 299–309. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajodo.2005.04.030
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Johanna Elizabeth Fiallos-Sánchez, Bayardo Alexander Sierra-Adasme, Carlos Luis Villalva-León

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
Authors who publish in Revista UGC agree to the following terms:
1. Copyright
Authors retain unrestricted copyright to their work. Authors grant the journal the right of first publication. To this end, they assign the journal non-exclusive exploitation rights (reproduction, distribution, public communication, and transformation). Authors may enter into additional agreements for the non-exclusive distribution of the version of the work published in the journal, provided that acknowledgment of its initial publication in this journal is given.
© The authors.
2. License
The articles are published in the journal under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0). The terms can be found at: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/deed.en
This license allows:
- Sharing: Copying and redistributing the material in any medium or format.
- Adapting: Remixing, transforming, and building upon the material.
Under the following terms:
- Attribution: You must give appropriate credit, provide a link to the license, and indicate if any changes were made. You may do this in any reasonable manner, but not in any way that suggests the licensor endorses or sponsors your use.
- NonCommercial: You may not use the material for commercial purposes.
- ShareAlike: If you remix, transform, or build upon the material, you must distribute your creation under the same license as the original work.
There are no additional restrictions. You may not apply legal terms or technological measures that legally restrict others from doing anything the license permits.





