Changes of Mandibular Movement Tracings After the Correction of Mandibular Protrusion by Bilateral Sagittal Split Ramus Osteotomy

PurposeWe investigated the effects on mandibular movement tracings after the correction of mandibular protrusion by bilateral sagittal split ramus osteotomy (BSSRO).Patients and MethodsThis study was comprised of 30 control subjects and 14 mandibular protrusion patients. Mandibular movements were recorded during opening, protrusion, and laterotrusion of the jaw with the ARCUSdigma 3-dimensional mandibular kinesiograph (KaVo Dental, Biberach, Germany). The kinematic center and incisor point were used as reference points.ResultsThe mandibular movement tracings of patients before the correction of mandibular protrusion by BSSRO were significantly different from those in subjects in the control group, whereas there were no significant differences between the mandibular movement tracings after the correction of mandibular protrusion by BSSRO and those in the control group. Furthermore, the mean biases of the condylar kinematic center in the 3-dimensional directions during the opening, protrusive, and laterotrusive movements of the jaws in the preoperative group were smaller than those in the postoperative group (P < .05), which were similar to those in the control group (P > .05).ConclusionAfter correction by BSSRO, the mandibular movement tracings in mandibular protrusion patients will be altered to be similar to those in subjects in the control group, which we believe might support the return of mandibular functional movements in treated patients.