Dysocclusion after maxillofacial trauma: A 42 year analysis

Background The aim of this study was to evaluate the surgical management of posttraumatic dysocclusion in the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery in the VU Medical Centre in Amsterdam.

Patients and methods All patients who underwent surgical correction of a posttraumatic dysocclusion between 1970 and 2012 were reviewed. Patient charts were reviewed retrospectively.

Results A total of 42 patients were included. Twenty-seven patients had a mandibular condyle fracture (64.3%). The initial fracture-treatment was either conservative, consisting only of intermaxillary fixation (IMF), or open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF). Though different orthognathic treatment options were used to regain normal occlusion, the most frequently used surgical techniques were a uni- or bilateral sagittal split osteotomy of the mandible in 21 patients (50.0%), followed by a Le Fort I osteotomy of the maxilla in 17 patients (40.5%).

Conclusions Most dysocclusions occur after mandibular condyle fractures, however fractures of other maxillofacial structures also account for a considerable number of cases. Good results are achieved with orthognathic surgery for posttraumatic dysocclusion.