Surgical treatment of the open bite deformity. Surgical correction of combined mandibular prognathism and open bite by oblique sliding osteotomy of the mandibular rami

Treatment of open bite deformity combined with a prognathic mandible using the oblique, sliding osteotomy of the mandibular rami has been followed for 2 1/2 years to evaluate the final outcome of the operation. The clinical and radiographic examination during the control period show a remarkably stable result with a relapse magnitude the same or slightly less than that for a straight, set-back procedure. A certain dental compensation occurs during the skeletal relapse. The thought of creating a certain "freedom-space" in the muscular fibres during the set-back procedure, thus facilitating closure of the open bite is proposed. Surgical correction of the anterior open bite today is otherwise most frequently focused on solutions with maxillary le Fort I or subapical procedures to ensure minimal influence from the jaw muscles.