[The diagnosis and treatment of congenital facial asymmetries in childhood. A clinical study].

Following a brief discussion of etiology, pathogenesis, and diagnosis of congenital facial asymmetries, a new interdisciplinary treatment concept encompassing the disciplines of orthodontics, maxillo-facial surgery, and pedaudiology is set forth. This concept calls for the surgical reconstruction of the mandibular ramus and of the temporo-mandibular joint already in childhood in those cases in which functional jaw orthopedics has already begun at an early age. Thereafter the occlusal plane can be corrected orthodontically. Six patients were treated according to this concept. Two years nine months after surgery favorable results were observed in relation to occlusion and mandibular growth. Because, however, long term results are still outstanding, the results obtained until now and the treatment concept remain the subject of ongoing critical study.