Corticotomy-assisted Le Fort I osteotomy: An alternative to segmentation of the maxilla in orthognathic surgery

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of this study was to describe a surgical technique that can be used to solve dentofacial deformities associated with narrow interradicular spaces of the anterior teeth of the maxilla and inadequate overbite/overjet seen in hand-articulated models. This is presented here as an alternative to segmentation of the maxilla in Le Fort I osteotomy. Methods: Six patients with dentofacial deformities (classes II and III malocclusions) had Le Fort I osteotomy accompanied by buccal alveolar corticotomies of the maxilla. During the immediate postoperative period, elastic forces were applied to mobilize the anterior dentoalveolar segments until the planned overjet/overbite was observed. Results: All patients reached the desired occlusion approximately 1 month after the surgical procedure. Pulp vitality of the teeth adjacent to the corticotomies was not compromised. Conclusions: The clinical results obtained confirm the technique as a safe and reliable alternative to segmentation of the maxilla in orthognathic surgery.