Surgery-first in interdisciplinary class II cases

J Esthet Restor Dent. 2024 Jan 30. doi: 10.1111/jerd.13199. Online ahead of print.

Abstract

Objectives: To present an interdisciplinary case treated with a surgery-first orthognathic approach, followed by orthodontic and prosthodontic treatment.

Clinical considerations: After an accurate pre-operative virtual planning, a young patient with skeletal class II, retrognathia, and an anterior open bite was treated with bimaxillary orthognathic surgery without pre-surgical orthodontic decompensation. Orthodontic treatment was carried out post-operatively. The treatment was completed with a prosthodontic phase to improve the final esthetic outcome of the smile.

Conclusions: A surgery-first approach allowed to achieve esthetic and functional results in a reduced treatment duration that remained stable over the course of 1 year. The outcomes were consistent with prior research in terms of advantages brought by following an accurately planned surgery-first protocol. Nevertheless, longer-term follow-up was required to evaluate the treatment stability.

Clinical significance: An accurately planned surgery-first approach significantly helped in shortening the duration of the treatment, while providing a stable, functional, and esthetic solution to the patient's problems.

Keywords: anterior open bite; class II malocclusion; orthodontics; orthognathic surgery; surgery-first.