Rigid skeletal fixation in maxillary osteotomies. Intraoperative control of condylar position.

In isolated maxillary osteotomies the condylar positioning technique cannot be performed because the autorotation of the mandible following maxillary movements cannot be calculated in advance. The only possibility to achieve an exact position of the maxillary segment in relation to the skull base and the temporomandibular joint is the intraoperative control of the condylar position using a face bow transfer during surgery. Errors in the condyle position would result in an error of the occlusion and would cause adverse effects on the temporomandibular joint.