Expert: Joel S. Teig, DMD, Diplomate ABOMS, retired - 12/2/2009

Question
QUESTION: Hi Joel,

I have two identical daughters 8 years old both with underbites (class 3 ). I am getting conflicting information from dentists. Can you tell me broadly speaking what i should do. When should they get treatment for this. Should they wait until they are 11 ? or when they have all their adult teeth ? or now ?
Do you recommend that they should get help from an Orthodontist as well as a Oral and Maxillofacial Surgen working together.

With thanks,

Feargal.

ANSWER: Feargal - At your children's young age, a minor correction can be made, but premature correction is often followed with poor results.  Usually any major correction in the jaw relationship is postponed until the child is at least 11 or 12.  My suggestion is that you do make an appointment with an orthodontist for an evaluation.  If the class III remains, then a combination with a surgeon may be appropriate, but at their young age, be a little conservative.

If you have any additional questions, feel free to contact me again.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi Joel,

I am very grateful to you for your response. i would like to learn more about the issues surrounding underbite problems.
Are there any publications or papers related to this area that you would recomed to me.  

with thanks,

feargal

Answer
Feargal - The main problem with the class 3 relationship has to do with long term facial profiles and future problems with the jaw joints.  The following are some websites that might better define the potential problems.

1)   www.vanderbilthealth.com/orthodontics/21663

2)   http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-244X/6/41

3)   http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malocclusion

If you have additional questions, do not hesitate to get back to me.