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Case Report on Surgery-First Approach.
Preeti Bhattacharya1, Anil Kumar Chandana1, Ravi Bhandari1
1Department of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopaedics, Institute of Dental Sciences, Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, India.
Annals of Maxillofacial Surgery
|March 10, 2022
Summary
The surgery-first approach offers rapid aesthetic improvements for orthognathic surgery patients. This nonextraction method effectively corrects skeletal Class III malocclusion with stable, favorable outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Orthodontics
- Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
Background:
- The surgery-first approach is increasingly utilized in orthognathic surgery for its potential to expedite treatment and improve aesthetics.
- This approach aims to achieve immediate skeletal stability and enhance facial harmony early in the treatment process.
Observation:
- A 21-year-old male presented with a skeletal Class III malocclusion, characterized by a 4 mm reverse overjet, 6 mm overbite, concave profile, and a protrusive chin, primarily concerned with facial aesthetics.
- The patient's chief complaints were related to the appearance of his lower front teeth and jaw size.
Findings:
- The patient underwent bilateral sagittal split setback osteotomy of the mandible using a surgery-first approach with nonextraction therapy.
- After 15 months of active treatment, significant improvements in facial profile and proportions were observed, with a notable reduction in mandibular prognathism.
- The treatment outcomes remained stable at a 1-year follow-up.
Implications:
- This case demonstrates the efficacy of the surgery-first approach in managing skeletal Class III malocclusion, offering a shorter treatment duration and enhanced aesthetic results.
- The successful outcome highlights the potential of leveraging natural dental decompensation within this surgical strategy for efficient treatment.
- This approach provides a valuable alternative for patients seeking prompt aesthetic correction and functional improvement in orthognathic cases.

