Orthopedic Devices for Skeletal Class III Malocclusion Treatment in Growing Patients: A Comparative Effectiveness Systematic Review.

Background/

Objectives

Skeletal Class III malocclusion (Cl III) presents a significant orthodontic challenge, particularly in growing patients, requiring interceptive treatment to achieve effective functional and aesthetic correction. This review aims to compare various orthopedic devices and therapeutic protocols used in Cl III correction, identifying the most effective options in an interceptive context.

Methods

We searched the PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases for studies published between 1 January 2003, and 19 July 2023. Inclusion criteria included English language, human studies, open access, and studies addressing Cl III correction with interceptive orthopedic devices.

Results

Exclusions included in vitro, animal, off-topic studies, reviews, meta-analyses, and articles in languages other than English. After removing duplicates, 30 articles were selected from a total of 1193 results.

Conclusions

The application of orthopedic devices in growing patients can lead to rapid improvement of Cl III malocclusion, although each device has specific effects on the surrounding skeletal structure.