Relapse patterns of two-jaw surgical correction in patients with skeletal Class III malocclusion and different vertical facial types

The aim of this study was to evaluate postoperative relapse after the surgical correction of skeletal Class III deformities of various facial patterns as a guide to surgical planning. A retrospective cohort study of 90 consecutive patients with skeletal Class III malocclusion who underwent bimaxillary surgery was performed. The surgical outcomes and postoperative stability were compared. The primary predictor variable was vertical facial type, which was classified into three groups according to the Frankfort mandibular plane angle (FMA). The primary outcome of angular and linear measurements was obtained using serial cone beam computed tomography scans obtained at time points of preoperative, 1 week after surgery, and orthodontic debonding. No significant difference in skeletal relapse was observed in patients with the different vertical facial types. The mandible displayed a forward and upward relapse in all three groups postoperatively. The patients with a low FMA exhibited a more consistent mandibular relapse pattern than those with a normal or high FMA. These findings suggest that bimaxillary surgery is clinically stable for mandibular prognathism regardless of the vertical facial pattern. However, 1–1.5 mm of overcorrection in the mandible setback should be considered in patients with a low FMA, because of the greater facial depth and consistent forward and upward mandibular relapse pattern.