Surgical-orthodontic approach for correcting Vertical Maxillary Excess: Case report

Abstract

This report describes a patient with Vertical Maxillary Excess without open bite in whom surgical orthodontic treatment to reduce lower facial height remarkably improved function and facial esthetics. The patient was a 22-year-old male whose main concern was crowding and temporomandibular joint clicking sounds. The clinical and radiological findings led to the diagnosis of Vertical Maxillary Excess with a mild skeletal class II malocclusion. The proposed treatment plan comprised a bimaxillary surgery without premolar extractions. LeFort I osteotomy was planned to reposition the maxilla superiorly by 7–8 mm. This surgery was combined with a bilateral sagittal split osteotomy for mandibular anterior derotation to adjust the mandible to the occlusal and anteroposterior change. Postoperatively, the mandibular plane angle (GoGn-SN) was decreased by 4° and skeletal class I was achieved (ANB, 4°). In addition, lip incompetence was corrected and the excessive gingiva exposure upon smiling was significantly improved. The patient was satisfied with the treatment result and reported the temporomandibular joint clicking sounds disappearing after surgery.