[Skeletal discrepancies: could we avoid surgical procedures?]

Orthodontic-surgical protocols are nowadays considered as the state-of-the-art in cases of skeletal dentomaxillary dysmorphosis. However, for some reasons, it may happen that unquestionable indications for orthodontic-surgical procedures are not respected, patients being treated by orthodontics alone. This kind of mistake in the treatment planning lay the patient open to various potential complications such as: abnormal duration of the orthodontic treatment, dental root resorptions, questionable tooth extraction, unfavorable facial aesthetics, treatment instability... The authors discuss these points illustrated by clinical cases. Although orthognathic surgery protocols became considerably simplified these last two decades, orthodontic-surgical protocols are still relevantly considered as heavy both by patients and practitioners. As a consequence, their indication must be carefully weighed by a multidisciplinary team, keeping in mind that these protocols represent the ultimate functional and aesthetic treatment for dento-skeletal dysmorphoses.