Postoperative results of posterior maxillary osteotomy after long-term immobilization.

We have treated 22 patients for correction of open bite, using a one-stage posterior maxillary osteotomy, by two different techniques. Relapse was the most significant postoperative complication after this procedure. To avoid the high incidence and, particularly, the severity of this complication, we used long-term (11 to 12 weeks) maxillomandibular fixation to provide for neuromuscular adaptation to the newly derived rest position in the mandible.