Postural Assessment in Class III Patients Before Orthognathic Surgery

Area of Science:

• Orthodontics and Dentofacial Surgery
• Biomechanical Analysis
• Skeletal Deformity Research

Background:

• Skeletal Class III dentofacial deformities often necessitate orthognathic surgery.
• Understanding pre-surgical postural characteristics is crucial for comprehensive treatment planning.
• Previous research has not extensively detailed the specific postural deviations in this patient group.

Purpose of the Study:

• To quantitatively assess the postural characteristics of patients with skeletal Class III dentofacial deformities prior to orthognathic surgery.
• To identify common postural asymmetries using photogrammetry and specialized software.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study involving 40 adult patients undergoing orthodontic preparation for orthognathic surgery.
• Postural assessment via photogrammetry using anterior, posterior, and lateral imaging.
• Analysis of images using the SAPO (Software for Analyzing Posture) software.

Main Results:

• Significant postural deviations were observed in most anatomical structures.
• Common findings included anterior center of gravity displacement (43.77%) and left lateral deviation (3.89%).
• Specific asymmetries noted: head tilt, shoulder and pelvic elevation/depression, genu varum/valgum, foot valgus, decreased cervical lordosis, and pelvic anteversion.

Conclusions:

• Photogrammetry reveals widespread postural abnormalities in patients with Class III dentofacial deformities before surgery.
• These findings suggest that dentofacial deformities are associated with significant postural disorders.
• The results highlight the importance of considering postural assessment in the comprehensive management of these patients.