Distraction Osteotomy Combined With Orthodontics: An Effective Way to Decrease Short-term Recurrence in Treating Child Craniofacial Microsomia.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: This study aims to investigate strategies for reducing early relapse following mandibular distraction osteotomy (MDO) in craniofacial microsomia (CFM) patients. METHODS: Forty CFM patients were divided into 2 groups 20 underwent MDO alone, while 20 received MDO combined with orthodontic treatment (MDO-O). Preoperative, prefixation, and postfixation CT data in DICOM format were collected and reconstructed using Proplan software. Spatial geometric analysis was conducted to assess the inclination angle of the occlusal plane (OP), and OP deviation was directly measured using the software. RESULTS: Patients in the MDO-O group demonstrated a statistically significant improvement in OP inclination at the end of the fixation period compared with those who underwent MDO alone ( P =0.003). CONCLUSIONS: Combining MDO with a bite plate and bite glue sticks in CFM patients during the mixed dentition period enhances OP outcomes, effectively reducing short-term recurrence.