What happen to them? Postoperative survey of patients 10 years after surgical correction of mandibular prognathisms.

Forty-four patients were examined 10 years after their mandibular protrusions had been surgically corrected, and the findings were related to those of previous examinations 6 weeks and 2 years postoperatively. The intention was to describe changes in facial morphology, dental arches, and marginal bone height in the anterior region and to record the patients feeling in relation to functional esthetics and social fitness. In the majority of the patients the mandible was in a relatively stable position. A small increase of the mandibular prognathism was common, however. The length of the mandibular dental arch was reduced, and so was the mandibular intercanine width. The mandibular intermolar width was increased. The mandibular anterior teeth displayed a continuous tendency toward crowding. According to the answers to a questionnaire presented to the patients before they were examined by the persons who had provided the treatment, they were generally satisfied with the results of the treatment and would not have hesitated to undergo the treatment once more if necessary.