Jaw functional orthopedics is a therapeutic alternative for class III malocclusion: a case report

Several dentistry specialists have discussed the effectiveness of the treatment of Class III malocclusion in the primary dentition and the beginning of mixed dentition. Jaw functional orthopedics offers therapeutic resources to control this malocclusion at a timely age since it does not require dental anchorage. Children with Class III malocclusion have difficulty in chewing, phonation, and appearance is negatively affected. The unraveling of the bite, as soon as possible, is essential to offer the facial maxillary complex the proper function during the child’s development. The cases presented here demonstrate the immediate effect of these therapeutic resources. The patients (age ranging from three to five years old, three girls and one boy) sought orthodontic care because of anterior crossbite. They were treated at an opportune age through functional orthopedic devices to draw attention to these therapeutic resources and their immediate results. Additionally, through a search in the PubMed (MEDLINE) database, in April 2021, using the terms “class III malocclusion” and “early treatment” and using the time limit filter of the last ten years, in English, 28 articles from reviews and clinical trials were found. Of which, by reading the abstracts, 20 were selected. Classic books and articles on Jaw Functional Orthopedics were also consulted. This brief review aims to theoretically reference this article in which four clinical cases were described.