"Surgery first" orthognathics to correct a skeletal class II malocclusion with an impinging bite.

Abstract

urgical­orthodontic treatment of jaw deformities presents challenges in both diagnosis and mechanotherapy. This is particu­larly true for a skeletal Class II patient with a short anterior face and an impinging bite pattern. Traditional treatment involves presurgical orthodontic prepara­tion, including tooth alignment, incisor decompensation, and arch coordination. In short­face, deep­bite patients, however, the heavy occlusal forces often associated with strong muscles can compli­cate all these processes. Many clinicians therefore elect to post­pone most of the orthodontic cor ­rection until after surgery.