Surgery-first Approach for Facial Asymmetry with Transverse Discrepancy Using Hyrax-type Palatal Expansion Appliance

ABSTRACT

This report presents a case of successful treatment of skeletal Class III malocclusion with transverse discrepancy in adult by surgery-first approach. Traditionally dental decompensation is necessary prior to surgery in 2-jaw surgery to correct transverse and rotational discrepancy. However, the hyrax-type palatal expansion appliance was used to improve maxillary expansion accuracy and postoperative stability in this surgery-first approach (segmental Le Fort I osteotomy and mandibular setback surgery). It was established to be an effective means of precisely predicting postoperative occlusion and achieving stable retention after surgery of skeletal Class III malocclusion with maxillary transverse discrepancy.