Systematic review analyzes cranial base features related to skeletal Class III malocclusion in growing patients, suggesting treatment implications.
Key Points
This systematic review investigates the relationship between cranial base characteristics and skeletal Class III malocclusion in growing patients.
Included observational studies on cranial base characteristics in growing skeletal Class III patients.
Conducted meta-analysis using data from six databases up to May 5, 2026.
Assessed risk of bias and evidence certainty using the AXIS tool and GRADE framework.
Class III patients exhibited a smaller NSBa angle (-1.84°, 95% CI: -2.80°, -0.89°, P < .001) and NSAr angle (-2.02°, 95% CI: -3.26°, -0.78°, P = .001) than Class I patients.
Subgroup analyses indicated shorter SN length (-1.59 mm, 95% CI: -2.69 mm, -0.50 mm, P = .004) and SBa lengths (-1.56 mm, 95% CI: -2.88, -0.24, P = .004) before or during growth spurts.
SN length was shorter in Class III males (-1.68 mm, 95% CI: -3.11 mm, -0.25 mm, P = .020).