A cephalometric and panoramic analysis of the changes of the condylar position after orthognathic surgery

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: This study was aimed at analysis of the changes in the condyle position in subjects with mandibular setback osteotomies. METHOD: Twenty patients were evaluated retrospectively for their changes in the condyle position who underwent surgical mandibular setback using bilateral sagittal split osteotomies with a manual condyle repositioning technique and rigid fixation. The cephalometric and panoramic analysis was performed preoperatively, 1 week, 6 months, and 1 year postoperatively. And postoperative noise, temporomandibular joint pain, and mouth opening were clinically examined 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, 8 months, 10 months, and 12 months postoperatively. RESULT: The condyles rotated posteriorly and laterally immediately after surgery, and they returned to the preoperative position during follow-up period but it is not significant. The statistical analysis (Paired t-test) showed no significant effects in postsurgical stability. The changes in the condyle position didn't have a significant harmful influence on temporomandibular joint disorder. CONCLUSION: A careful surgical mandibular setback using manual condyle repositioning and fixation technique will move condyle minimally and that will decrease the relapse and temporomandibular joint disorder.