Abstract
Objectives: This report describes the long-term results of a patient with retrognathia treated with pre-surgical stabilization splint, mandibular advancement surgery and augmentation genioplasty. Details of the treatment course are presented to describe the advantages of splint therapy. Dimensional changes of the pharynx on lateral cephalometric X-rays were measured to investigate the effect of the splint and surgery on the airway.
Methods: Lateral cephalometric X-rays were taken at the patient’s first visit, after use of the splint, after mandibular advancement surgery, after genioplasty, and 4 years 6 months post-treatment. Anteroposterior dimensions of the upper, middle and lower part of the pharynx were measured on the X-rays and examined.
Results: All the dimensions of the pharynx decreased after using the splint, but recovered after mandibular surgery. With genioplasty, the middle part of the pharynx expanded, whereas all other dimensions were stable at 4 years 6 months post-treatment.
Conclusions: The use of the stabilization splint prior to mandibular advancement surgery made it possible to develop a more accurate surgical plan, which led to long-term skeletal and occlusal stability.
