Stability of mandibular constriction with a symphyseal osteotomy

Area of Science:

• Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
• Orthodontics
• Periodontology

Background:

• Transverse discrepancies in the mandible can affect facial aesthetics and function.
• Surgical correction often involves complex osteotomies to achieve desired width and position.
• Evaluating the stability and biological response is crucial for long-term outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the stability of surgical mandibular constriction with a midline osteotomy.
• To evaluate the periodontal response at the osteotomy site.
• To examine temporomandibular joint (TMJ) function after the procedure.

Main Methods:

• 15 patients underwent symphyseal and bilateral sagittal ramus osteotomies for mandibular correction.
• Coronal tomograms of the mandibular second molars were taken preoperatively, immediately postoperatively, and 8 weeks postoperatively.
• Linear measurements assessed mandibular width changes; periodontal and TMJ assessments were also performed.

Main Results:

• No statistically significant change in mandibular width was observed postoperatively, despite individual variations.
• Periodontal tissues at the osteotomy sites showed no significant changes at 5 months.
• No new TMJ noise was detected, and most joint movements returned to baseline, except for excursive movements.

Conclusions:

• Mandibular constriction with a midline osteotomy, combined with bilateral sagittal ramus osteotomy, is a stable surgical method for correcting transverse discrepancies.
• The procedure demonstrates favorable periodontal and temporomandibular joint responses, supporting its clinical application.