The mechanism of Class II correction in surgical orthodontic treatment of adult Class II, division 1 malocclusions.

The purpose of this investigation was to assess the dentoskeletal effects and facial profile changes as well as the mechanism of Class II correction in adult Class II subjects treated by surgical mandibular advancement in combination with orthodontics. The subject material comprised 46 adults with a Class II, division 1 malocclusion treated by nonextraction with a mandibular sagittal split osteotomy as well as with pre- and postsurgical multibracket appliances. Lateral head films from before treatment and after treatment were analyzed. The results revealed the following statistically significant (P < .001) treatment changes: (1) the mandibular prognathism enhanced; (2) the sagittal interjaw base relationship improved; (3) the mandibular plane angle increased; (4) the lower anterior facial height increased; (5) the lower posterior facial height decreased; (6) the facial profile straightened; (7) the overjet and Class II molar relationship were corrected. Overjet reduction was accomplished by 63% skeletal and 37% dental changes. The Class II molar correction was accomplished by 81% skeletal 19% dental changes. In conclusion, it can be said that mandibular sagittal split osteotomy in combination with pre- and postsurgical orthodontics is an effective and consistent method for the correction of Class II, division 1 malocclusions and for the straightening of the facial profile. A negative effect of treatment counteracting Class II correction is an increase in the mandibular plane angle.