Surgery-First Approach in Skeletal Class III Malocclusion Treated With 2-Jaw Surgery: Evaluation of Surgical Movement and Postoperative Orthodontic Treatment

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the surgical movement and postoperative orthodontic treatment (POT) of the surgery-first approach for the correction of skeletal class III malocclusion. The samples consisted of 11 patients with skeletal class III malocclusion who underwent nonextraction treatment and 2-jaw surgery (Le Fort I osteotomy impaction of the posterior maxilla, IPM; bilateral sagittal split ramus osteotomy setback of the mandible). The wafer was removed 4 weeks after surgery. Mean (SD) durations of POT and total treatment were 8.91 (3.14) and 12.18 (3.57) months, respectively. Lateral cephalograms were obtained during the initial examination (T(0)), immediately after surgery (T(1)), and after debonding (T(2)). Sixteen variables were measured. Paired t-test was performed for statistical analysis. The maxilla rotated clockwise, and the nasolabial angle increased by IPM (FH-palatal plane angle, FH-occlusal plane angle, P < 0.01; nasolabial angle, P < 0.05) and well maintained during POT. The mandible was repositioned backward by bilateral sagittal split ramus osteotomy setback of the mandible (SNB, Pog-N perp, P < 0.001) and relapsed forward during POT (SNB, P < 0.01; Pog-N perp, P < 0.05). U1-SN decreased by IPM (P < 0.001) and relapsed labially owing to class III mechanics during POT (P < 0.01); eventually, no significant difference was found between T(0) and T(2) stages. Although IMPA increased by POT, there was no significant difference between T(0) and T(2) stages. The mandible seems to relapse forward immediately after wafer removal and before labioversion of the lower incisors. Accurate prediction of POT is crucial in controlling dental alignment, incisor decompensation, arch coordination, and occlusal settling. Long-term wearing and selective grinding of the wafer for labioversion of the lower incisors and use of miniplates/miniscrews to control the inclination of the upper incisor and to prevent relapse of the mandible are needed.