Angle Class III: what it is and how it affects the profile
Quick facts
- Definition
- Relationship between the dental arches in which the lower molar sits further forward than the upper one.
- Typical profile
- Concave, with a prominent chin and an apparently retruded midface.
- Causes
- Large or advanced mandible, small or retruded maxilla, or both.
- Bone treatment
- Orthodontics and, in selected cases, orthognathic surgery.
Angle Class III is the occlusion classification in which the lower first molar sits in front of the upper one, and the lower arch tends to sit ahead of the upper arch. It is less frequent than Class II and may have a hereditary component. It belongs to the group of malocclusions.
How does it show in the face?
Class III is usually associated with a concave profile: the midface seems retruded relative to the chin, the upper lip may look thin and the chin prominent. The cause may be a large or advanced mandible (prognathism), a small or retruded maxilla, or both. Sometimes there is malar hypoplasia, and the cheek area looks flattened.
The facial convexity angle describes the profile, but the class is defined only by the orthodontist, through an examination of the occlusion.
What can and cannot HOF do?
| Goal | Role of HOF |
|---|---|
| Correct the bite | None: it is a matter for orthodontics or surgery |
| Set the chin back | None: filler does not reduce bone |
| Soften the contrast between the middle and lower thirds | Can be discussed, with volume in the cheekbone and lips |
| Avoid accentuating the chin | Do not fill the chin unnecessarily |
How do you talk to the patient?
Make the limit clear: filler works on soft tissue, and the bone stays as it is. The realistic goal is to harmonize the appearance, without promising a change in profile.
In Harmy
Harmy uses the front photo and does not project the profile. For patients with Class III, the Cheekbone and Lips markings can help show the patient the volume effect from the front, without representing a change in profile.
Frequently asked questions
What is Angle Class III?
It is a bite classification in which the lower arch sits in front of the upper one. In the face, it is usually associated with a concave profile and a more prominent chin.
Does HOF improve the profile in Class III?
It can soften how the profile is perceived, for example with volume in the cheekbone and upper lip, at the professional's discretion after an assessment. It does not correct the bite or the bone.