Management of Class III Malocclusion with Facemask & Palatal Expansion: The Importance of Mandibular Rotation

The Class III malocclusion presents at least five different phenotypes characterized by varying degrees of maxillary and mandibular dysplasia. Facemask/palatal expansion therapy has been the most common and predictable treatment for young growing patients and is characterized by forward and downward movement of the maxilla, and clockwise rotation of the mandible. Dr. Turley will discuss the indication for and importance of this mandibular movement in early Class III treatment.

Learning Objectives:

• Describe the components of Class III correction with palatal expansion/facemask therapy.
• Distinguish cases where clockwise rotation of the mandible is a positive effect of treatment.
• Identify cases where clockwise mandibular rotation should be controlled.