Skeletal and dental relapses after skeletal class III deformity correction surgery: single-jaw versus double-jaw procedures.

Objective: In this prospective comparative study, we looked at the postoperative dental and skeletal relapses in patients undergoing orthognathic surgery for skeletal class III deformity. The surgical interventions were single-jaw versus double-jaw procedures.

Methods: Twenty-four adult patients with skeletal class III deformity presented with functional and esthetic problems. Patients were randomized to receive single- or double-jaw corrective surgery. The assessment of outcome was by lateral cephalograms taken at different intervals and postoperative complications.

Results: At 1 year after surgery, no significant correlation was identified between surgical advancement and relapse regarding maxillary stability. The single-jaw procedure cohort had a significantly greater horizontal mandibular skeletal relapse. No differences were noted when examining the mandibular vertical stability. None of the patients reported any acute local neurology.

Conclusions: Single-jaw procedure may lead to less stability, leading to skeletal relapse, than double-jaw procedure. A higher evidence-based study and larger cohort is required to prove this.