Cephalometric evaluation of surgical-orthodontic treatment of skeletal Class III malocclusion

The stability of combined surgical-orthodontic correction of Class III malocclusions was evaluated. Changes at surgery and at 1-year postsurgery were observed in a sample of 13 patients undergoing mandibular setback by bilateral sagittal split osteotomy. The average posterior movement of the chin at surgery was 7.27 mm at point B, 6.39 mm at pogonion, and 5.72 mm at menton. Changes from postsurgery to 1-year follow-up revealed statistically significant differences in horizontal measurements, in which a forward movement of the mandible at point B, pogonion, and menton indicated a relapse tendency. Although vertical changes were minimal, soft tissue points followed relapse of the chin to the same extent. Because rigid internal fixation was not able to prevent relapse, technical refinements should be investigated to improve the stability of bilateral sagittal split osteotomy if the absence of maxillary deficiency contraindicates the use of bimaxillary surgical procedures.