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Updated: Mar 22, 2026
A Postoperative Evaluation Guideline for Computer-Assisted Reconstruction of the Mandible
Published on: January 28, 2020
Kinematic analysis of mandibular motion before and after orthognathic surgery for skeletal Class III malocclusion: A
Alessandro Ugolini1, Andrea Mapelli1, Marzia Segù1
1a Laboratorio di Anatomia Funzionale dell'Apparato Stomatognatico (LAFAS), Facoltà di Medicina e Chirurgia, Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche per la Salute, Functional Anatomy Research Center (FARC) , Università degli Studi di Milano , via Mangiagalli 31, I-20133 Milano , Italy.
Objectives:
The aim of the study was to detect the changes in 3D mandibular motion after orthognathic surgery for skeletal Class III malocclusion.
Method:
Using a 3D motion analyzer, free mandibular border movements were recorded in nine patients successfully treated for skeletal Class III malocclusion and in nine patients scheduled for orthognathic surgery. Data were compared using Mann-Whitney non-parametric U-test.
Results:
The results showed no differences between the groups in the total amount of mouth opening, protrusion, and in lateral excursions, but the percentage of mandibular movement explained by condylar translation was significantly increased after surgery (20% vs. 23.6%). During opening, the post-surgery patients showed a more symmetrical mandibular interincisal point and condylar path than pre-surgery patients (p < 0.01).
Discussion:
Patients treated with orthognathic surgery for skeletal Class III malocclusion recover a good and symmetric temporomandibular joint function.
