The morphology of the potential Class III skeletal pattern in the growing child.

The aim of the present article was to identify morphologic characteristics in the craniofacial skeleton of the 11-year-old child that could indicate potential development of a Class III skeletal pattern. A radiographic material consisting of 24 children (13 girls, 11 boys) at an average age of 11 years 0 months, who in adulthood demonstrated a Class III skeletal pattern, was compared with a control group of 33 children (16 boys, 17 girls, average age 11 years 6 months) chosen retrospectively on the basis of Class I occlusion. The analysis was performed by means of both linear and angular variables and results are reported both as group means and individual analyses. No one morphologic trait indicative of potential Class III development could be isolated because the study clearly demonstrated the existence of different skeletal combinations. The development of the maxilla, both in size and position, was clearly demonstrated by the linear analysis to be an etiologic factor in Class III development. However, maxillary retrognathism was usually masked in the angular analysis because a reduction in length of the anterior base with subsequent effect on the position of point nasion was often seen in these cases. Mandibular prognathism was a frequent observation, although a true macrognathia was uncommon. In the majority of cases, mandibular prognathism was the result of an increase in the ratio between mandibular length and dorsal position of the glenoid fossa (articulare). The relative merits of angular and linear analyses are discussed in relation to the results presented.