Changes in occlusal state of patients with mandibular prognathism after orthognathic surgery: a pilot study

This study examined the occlusal state of patients with mandibular prognathism and compared it with that of adults with normal occlusion (controls). It also examined changes in occlusal state after orthognathic operations in these patients. The values of occlusal contact area and bite force in patients before operation were significantly lower than in controls, and occlusal pressure in patients was higher than in controls. The occlusal contact area and bite force of the patients 1 month after the operation had decreased to below preoperative values. These values 12 months after the operation had increased by 2.0 and 1.8 times in women and 1.4 and 1.4 times in men, respectively, compared with preoperative values. However, absolute values remained extremely low compared with those of controls. In contrast to the above, occlusal pressure reached its maximum value 1 month after the operation and at 12 months it was close to the value for controls. (C) 2001 The British Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons.