Stability of the hard and soft tissue profile after mandibular advancement in sagittal split osteotomies: a longitudinal and long-term follow-up study

A selection of abstracts of clinically relevant papers from other journals. The abstracts on this page have been chosen and edited by Dr Trevor Watts.

Abstract

After 12 years, there was a significant skeletal relapse.

Main

Joss CU, Thüer UW Eur J Orthod 2008; 30: 16–23

Bilateral sagittal split osteotomy with accompanying orthodontic treatment is a common treatment for major malocclusion, and rigid internal fixation provides greater surgical stability. Results up to 5 yrs have been reported, and the present study was of 16 consecutive patients treated in Bern and followed for 12.7 yrs with cephalometric analysis of hard and soft tissues.

Immediately after surgery, mean mandibular advancement was 4.8 mm at point B (over first incisor apices), 5.3 mm at pogonion (anterior edge of chin) and 4.1 mm at incision inferior (incisive edge of incisors). At 12.7 yrs, respective relapses were 2.4, 3.2 and 1.7 mm. There were accompanying changes of greater magnitude in overlying soft tissues.