Residents' journal review , Anterior open-bite malocclusions, often treated with a combined orthodontic and surgical approach, are a great challenge for orthodontists during both treatment and retention. The aim of this review was to evaluate the vertical stability of combined orthodontic and surgical treatment of skeletal anterior open-bite malocclusions by using different surgical techniques and fixation. A literature search yielded 9 studies pertaining to vertical stability after combined orthodontic and surgical treatment; all were retrospective, and most were graded as having a low level of evidence. The data from these studies were evaluated based on the type of surgical procedure and the length of follow-up, with a 2-year cutoff to differentiate short-term from long-term follow-ups. There were wide variations in relapse after combined orthodontic and orthognathic surgical treatment for skeletal anterior open bite. Relapses of overbite (>2 mm bite opening) were seen in 16% of long-term follow-ups after LeFort I osteotomy and in 13% of short-term follow-ups after bilateral sagittal split osteotomy, yet no changes were greater than 2 mm after bimaxillary surgery. Increases of the mandibular plane angle (>2°) were evident during the short-term follow-ups after bimaxillary surgery, but only evident during long-term follow-ups after LeFort I osteotomies. Additionally, greater increases in the intermaxillary plane angle and anterior facial height tended to be seen in patients after bimaxillary surgery, compared with other surgical interventions. No conclusions could be drawn from the included studies about the influence of the type of fixation on vertical stability. Long-term skeletal relapse appears to be more prevalent after bimaxillary surgery for correction of anterior open-bite malocclusion, although there is a need for well-designed prospective studies with control groups investigating vertical relapse after various surgical interventions. , http://bit.ly/YgKNwQ

Residents' journal review , Anterior open-bite malocclusions, often treated with a combined orthodontic and surgical approach, are a great challenge for orthodontists during both treatment and retention. The aim of this review was to evaluate the vertical stability of combined orthodontic and surgical treatment of skeletal anterior open-bite malocclusions by using different surgical techniques and fixation. A literature search yielded 9 studies pertaining to vertical stability after combined orthodontic and surgical treatment; all were retrospective, and most were graded as having a low level of evidence. The data from these studies were evaluated based on the type of surgical procedure and the length of follow-up, with a 2-year cutoff to differentiate short-term from long-term follow-ups. There were wide variations in relapse after combined orthodontic and orthognathic surgical treatment for skeletal anterior open bite. Relapses of overbite (>2 mm bite opening) were seen in 16% of long-term follow-ups after LeFort I osteotomy and in 13% of short-term follow-ups after bilateral sagittal split osteotomy, yet no changes were greater than 2 mm after bimaxillary surgery. Increases of the mandibular plane angle (>2°) were evident during the short-term follow-ups after bimaxillary surgery, but only evident during long-term follow-ups after LeFort I osteotomies. Additionally, greater increases in the intermaxillary plane angle and anterior facial height tended to be seen in patients after bimaxillary surgery, compared with other surgical interventions. No conclusions could be drawn from the included studies about the influence of the type of fixation on vertical stability. Long-term skeletal relapse appears to be more prevalent after bimaxillary surgery for correction of anterior open-bite malocclusion, although there is a need for well-designed prospective studies with control groups investigating vertical relapse after various surgical interventions. , http://bit.ly/YgKNwQ , via Dental Teach " Daily Dental Info " http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=587010871323466&set=a.587009604656926.1073741855.110664842291407&type=1