Stomatognathic function of patients who seek orthognathic surgery to correct dentofacial deformities

To determine the craniomandibular functional status of patients who seek orthognathic surgery, 48 adults with various dentofacial deformities were examined, and the functional parameters of the patients were compared with those of a normal population. The relationship between function and morphology was also studied. The method of study included a clinical examination of dysfunction, an evaluation of the number and intensity of occlusal contacts, a kinesiographic analysis of mandibular movements at the incisors, an evaluation of ramal and condylar vertical symmetry by means of dental rotational panoramic radiography, and an examination of profile and frontal cephalograms. Results of the examinations showed that the patients seeking orthognathic surgery showed craniomandibular functional patterns different from those of the normal group or healthy population. However, because no significant correlations were found among specific morphologic and functional characteristics and dysfunctional status (with the exception of condylar asymmetry, the maximal deviation of a maximal opening-closing movement defined on the sagittal plane, and the inclination of the maxillary central incisor in relation to the anterior cranial base), no clear cause-effect relationship was proved.