Camouflage treatment of posterior bite collapse in a patient with skeletal asymmetry by using posterior maxillary segmental osteotomy

Abstract

Orthodontic treatment of posterior bite collapse due to early loss of molars and the consequent drift of adjacent teeth is complicated. When the posterior bite collapse occurs in patients with facial asymmetry, both transverse and vertical compensation are necessary for camouflage orthodontic treatment. In such cases, posterior maxillary segmental osteotomy (PMSO) can be an effective alternative procedure that simplifies the orthodontic treatment and shows long-term stability through dental compensation within the alveolar bone housing. This case report aimed to describe the orthodontic treatment of maxillary occlusal plane canting caused by severely extruded maxillary teeth in a patient with skeletal facial asymmetry that was corrected with PMSO along with protraction of the lower second molar to replace the space of the extracted first molar. The treatment duration was 18 months, and stable results were obtained after 2 years of retention.