Skeletal stability after bilateral sagittal split advancement and setback osteotomy of the mandible with miniplate fixation.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate intraorally placed mini plates and monocortical screws in terms of postoperative skeletal stability after bilateral sagittal split advancement and setback osteotomy of the mandible. Ten patients were included in this study with five requiring advancement (group I) and five requiring setback of the mandible (group II). Bell and Epker modified surgical technique was followed for all the patients. All the patients underwent pre- and postsurgical orthodontics. Cephalometric radiographs were taken preoperatively, immediate, 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively. Cephalometric tracings were performed by one individual examiner using a modified burstone analysis. Statistical analysis was performed using the student paired t-test. In advancement patients, SNB (sella, Nasion, B point) angle showed relapse at 12th month postoperative period which was statistically significant (2.4 degrees). No changes were observed in anterior facial height, posterior facial height, Frankfort-mandibular incisor angle (FmiA), and overjet during the follow-up period. In setback patients, posterior facial height (p < 0.05), angles between the lower incisors and mandibular plane and pogonion had a statistically significant change position of 1.4 mm (paired t-test, p = 0.03). The SNB angle, anterior facial height, interincisal angle, and FmiA remained constant (0.8-1.2 degrees) during the follow-up period. In advancement cases, the relapse was seen from the third month postoperative period but in setback cases, the relapse was noted from the sixth month onward and the skeletal relapse in these cases were noticed cephalometrically.