Successful Class III Orthognathic Correction

Levi and his parents presented with the chief concern “Levi doesn’t like his smile. We have seen the orthodontist and we want you to pull his tooth (#7) and put in a bridge”. After some discussion, it was determined that the orthodontist had given two treatment options: either orthognathic surgery or fixed bridgework. We talked at length about esthetics.

Simply extracting tooth #7 and placing a fixed bridge would neither provide good esthetics or function. I encouraged Levi and his parents to return to the orthodontist to discuss the risks, benefits and alternatives of orthodontics, surgery and any non-surgical options. Levi and his parents returned to my office 18 months later and stated, “We saw the orthodontist and we want the surgery, but we want you to do the braces.”