Poster 232: New Paradigm in the Treatment of Dentofacial Deformities: A Physiological and Biological Approach

Abstract

The general treatment process for dentofacial deformities is a preoperative orthodontic treatment, orthognathic surgery, and postoperative orthodontic treatment for a detailed occlusion. Although such treatment processes produce satisfactory results, disadvantages such as the prolonged orthodontic treatment time and the worsened facial appearance during the preoperative orthodontic treatment period cannot be neglected. Dental decompensation, which is the main goal of preoperative orthodontic treatment, is a physiologically unfavorable process that not only causes discomfort to the patient but also prolongs the overall treatment time. We present case reports of a new paradigm in the treatment of dentofacial deformities. The treatment process with this the new paradigm is as follows 1) calculation of the final amount of dental decompensation on a set up model, 2) estimation of the amount of movement of the Maxilla and Mandible, 3) orthognathic surgery without preoperative orthodontic treatment, 4) postoperative orthodontic treatment. Ten cases were collected among patients treated in the department of oral and maxillofacial surgery, Seoul National University Dental Hospital from 1995 to 1997. The patients were divided according to their diagnosis, method of surgery, and duration of post-operative orthodontic treatment. The outcome and stability were compared according to these classifications. n/a Satisfactory esthetic results were obtained without specific problems, with a lower overall treatment time and a high level of patient satisfaction. Treatment planning based on physiological or biological principles not only prevents a worsening of the facial appearance during the preoperative orthodontic treatment period but also decreases the overall orthodontic treatment time, and allows the early treatment of skeletal deformities.