Abstract:

Objective To analyze the morphological characters of Angle′s Class Ⅲ malocclusion patients and the relationship between characters and treatment options. Methods A total of 472 Class Ⅲ patients were collected during 1997 -2000. The standardized coordinates′ values of the patients were obtained by Procrustes superimposition（PS）. Cluster analysis was carried out to divide the patients into different subdivisions and the relationship between treatment options and subdivisions was analyzed. Results 472 patients were divided into 14 subdivisions with special characters. The morphological templates were formed by computer. There were certain relationships between characters and treatment options. Conclusion The mechanism of malocclusion of different Class Ⅲ patients are not necessarily same. The typing has significance to choose the treatment method.

Key words: Angle′s Class Ⅲ malocclusion, subdivision, Procrustes superimposition, cluster analysis, treatment template