Control of vertical position of the maxilla in orthognathic surgery: clinical application of the sandwich splint.

The Le Fort I osteotomy can be used to change the position of the maxilla in all three dimensions. A presurgically fabricated occlusal splint is used to reproduce the planned sagittal and transverse position of the maxilla. Various methods for determining the proper vertical position have been described. The major difficulty in vertical control when these techniques are used is the sagittal change of the lower reference point as the maxilla is advanced. The relative error in the vertical plane increases with larger sagittal movements. The sandwich splint technique, with two stable intraoral reference points, can be used to ensure proper vertical positioning of the maxilla. This method enables exact measurement of the vertical dimension during cast surgery and in the operating room. Vertical measurements are based on the relationship between the mandible and skull base. This distance remains constant during splint fabrication and when the splint is used at surgery. Postoperatively, the mandible can be rotated into the new centric occlusion.