Changes in bite force and occlusal contact area after orthognathic surgery for correction of mandibular prognathism

OBJECTIVE: This study examined the long-term changes of bite force and occlusal contact area in patients with prognathous after orthognathic surgery with a newly developed pressure-sensitive sheet (Dental-Prescale; Fuji Photo Film Co). STUDY DESIGN: Fifty-seven patients with prognathous were examined. Bite force and occlusal contact area were measured just before operation and at 2 weeks, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, 1 year, 2 years, and 3 years after operation. Forty control subjects with normal occlusion were also measured. RESULTS: The bite force and occlusal contact area of the patients were significantly greater than the preoperative level at 1 year, 2 years, and 3 years after operation. However, they were still significantly lower than the control subject level even at 3 years after operation. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that orthognathic surgery improves the bite force and occlusal contact area of patients with prognathous. However, at 3 years from the time of operation, patients had not reached control subject levels.