Case report: developmental characterization of skeletal Class III malocclusion.

Skeletal Class III malocclusion is usually characterized by a steep mandibular plane angle, obtuse gonial angle, overdeveloped mandible, underdeveloped maxilla, and a small cranial base angle which may displace the glenoid fossa anteriorly to cause a forward positioning of the mandible. These factors are generally thought to contribute to the development of skeletal malocclusion as well as facial deformities, and are believed to originate from genetic and/or environmental factors. The posterior discrepancy is an important etiological factor in the development of a skeletal Class III malocclusion because it affects the occlusal plane. This idea must be amended for an appropriate clinical approach to the treatment of Class III malocclusion.