Surgical-orthodontic treatment of Class III patients with long face problems: a retrospective study.

PURPOSE

To describe the surgical procedure in correcting Class III patients with long face problems and to evaluate the lateral cephalometric changes resulting from surgical-orthodontic treatment.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Thirty-six Chinese Class III patients with long face problems (14 male, 22 female, with a mean age 24.3 years) were selected in this study. All patients underwent bimaxillary surgery. The surgical approach involved advancement and superior repositioning (greater anteriorly than posteriorly) of the maxilla to permit autorotation and subsequent setback of the mandible. Lateral cephalometric records were taken before the presurgical orthodontic treatment (T1) and after the postsurgical orthodontic treatment (T2). The data were analyzed statistically by using paired t tests.

RESULTS

Anteroposterior and vertical dysplasia were corrected by the surgery. Horizontalization of the occlusal plane was obtained and the gonial angle was closed. The S-Go/N-Me increased 2% (P < .01), whereas ANS-Me/N-Me displayed no significant difference.

CONCLUSIONS

The surgical procedure makes it possible to obtain an optimal esthetic and functional result in cases of Class III long face patients. This approach represents a useful option for the treatment of these deformities.