Dynamic changes in morphometric analysis in patients following Class III bimaxillary surgery

Area of Science:

• Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics
• Surgical Orthodontics
• Cephalometric Analysis

Background:

• Class III malocclusion, characterized by mandibular prognathism, results from excessive mandibular growth or underdeveloped maxilla.
• This skeletal abnormality significantly impacts facial aesthetics and function.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate dynamic morphometric changes in Class III malocclusion patients undergoing bimaxillary surgery.
• To assess cephalometric alterations at three distinct time points: pre-orthodontic treatment, pre-surgery, and post-surgery.

Main Methods:

• A sample of 30 adult patients (18-30 years) with Class III malocclusion were analyzed.
• Treatment involved mandibular setback sagittal split osteotomy and maxillary Le Fort I advancement.
• Lateral cephalograms were taken at T0 (pre-orthodontic treatment), T1 (pre-surgery), and T2 (3-6 months post-surgery).

Main Results:

• Post-surgical cephalometric analysis revealed normalization of key variables.
• Significant reduction in the SNB angle and increase in the SNA angle were observed, indicating sagittal correction.
• The GntgoAr mandible angle decreased, and the H angle increased, positively influencing facial aesthetics.

Conclusions:

• Bimaxillary surgery led to significant improvements in hard and soft tissue correlations within facial profiles.
• The H angle effectively reflected positive changes in facial aesthetics post-treatment.
• While total face length decreased, cephalometric analysis indicated a persistent difference between lower and middle facial thirds.