Surgical-orthodontic approach to skeletal class III malocclusion. Analysis of 45 cases with evaluation of curved oblique osteotomy and sliding osteotomy.

A curved oblique osteotomy in which the ascending ramus was cut obliquely on a curved line from its anterior border to the angle was used for the treatment of 29 patients with skeletal Class III malocclusion, and 16 other patients were corrected by either an ordinary body ostectomy or a sliding osteotomy in the first premolar region. Both curved oblique osteotomy and sliding osteotomy could easily be performed with a Stryker's reciprocating saw, and osseous healing at the sites of surgery was rapid as a large area of intimate bony contact between the segments was obtained. The resulting profile and skeletal changes studied by cephalograms were excellent, with no significant relapse, and recovery of a stable occlusion was attained. The combined approach with orthodontists which included thorough analysis of each patient, preoperative alignment of the dental arches and postoperative care was essential for obtaining the best results.