Document Type : Research Article
Abstract
Aim: The present study was conducted to analyse the stability of outcomes achieved by surgical treatment of skeletal class III patients in terms of the rate and extent of relapses with the help of cephalogram. Methodology: A total of 11 patients who had undergone orthodontic treatment combined with orthognathic surgery were included. The primary inclusion criterion was a skeletal class III treated by SSO surgery combined with maxillary advancement (Le Fort I) surgery. Analysis was based on three postoperative cephalograms per patient. Results: We observed relapse (defined, in accordance with Proffit, as changes >2 mm or 2°) at a rate of 24% after SSO surgery. We noted a maxillary relapse in 6 of the 11 patients who had undergone Le Fort I surgery, with SNA values initially increasing by +3° from T0 and T1 in keeping with the advancement procedure and subsequently decreasing by −1° toward baseline yielding a relapse rate of 30%. Conclusion: The majority of patients exhibited stable treatment outcomes. As with all surgical procedures, success demands of the surgeon an intimate knowledge and understanding of physiology and anatomy.