[Surgical lengthening of the lower face in patients with class II deformities and skeletal deep bite--"short face syndrome" controlled clinical study on the "Würzburger Konzept"]

Abstract

Among Angle Class II patients scheduled for orthognathic surgery, those with short face syndrome with skeletal deep bite only make up a small portion. Nevertheless, it represents a complex challenge for the orthodontist as well as for the surgeon with respect to the individual treatment goals. The harmony of facial relations is impaired in these patients: The skeletal lower face and consequently the soft tissue profile show a deficit in height compared to the midface. Lengthening of the lower face with its respective effect on facial aesthetics can only be corrected by causal therapy, i.e., a combined approach with surgical enlargement of the gonion angle. In this study, a therapy concept specifically suited for the correction of Class II deformities with short face syndrome is presented. Consequences for the skeletal and dental situation with their benefit for extraoral appearance were tested in a clinical trial ( n=15, patients with class II deformities and short face syndrome). To evaluate skeletal and dental changes, cephalograms were taken prior to initiation of orthodontic treatment, 3 days after surgery but before initiation of postsurgery orthodontics, and 1 year after the end of treatment.