Severe Anterior Open Bite Corrected Primarily by Repositioning the Mandible

Area of Science:

• Dentistry
• Orthodontics
• Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

Background:

• Skeletal class III malocclusion presents complex challenges, often involving anterior open bite and transverse maxillary hypoplasia.
• Facial disproportion, such as a longer mid-face, can complicate surgical correction strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report the treatment of a young female patient with severe skeletal class III malocclusion, anterior open bite, and maxillary hypoplasia.
• To evaluate the efficacy and stability of a combined surgical approach involving mandibular and maxillary osteotomies.

Main Methods:

• The patient underwent mandibular counterclockwise rotation via bilateral sagittal split ramus osteotomy.
• Segmental Le Fort I osteotomy was performed to address transverse maxillary hypoplasia and widen the dental arch.
• Specific osteotomy on the posterior mandible was utilized for enhanced correction and recurrence prevention.

Main Results:

• Effective correction of skeletal class III malocclusion and severe anterior open bite was achieved.
• Significant improvements in facial aesthetics and functional occlusion were observed post-surgery.
• The treatment outcome remained stable at 1-year follow-up, with no notable vertical recurrence.

Conclusions:

• Combined mandibular and maxillary osteotomies provide a viable solution for complex malocclusions with facial asymmetry.
• The specific posterior mandibular osteotomy technique is critical for achieving stable correction and preventing relapse in skeletal class III cases.