The Envelope of Segmental Movement and Airway Changes After Mandibular Anterior Subapical Osteotomy in Skeletal Class II Protrusion Patients.

INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to determine the envelope of anterior segmental movement and changes in the inferior pharyngeal airway space (IPAS) and position of the hyoid bone following mandibular anterior subapical osteotomy (ASO) under local anesthesia in skeletal Class II patients with protrusion. METHODS: The subjects were 33 skeletal Class II adult patients with lip protrusion. They were treated by extraction of 4 premolars and mandibular ASO under local anesthesia. Surgical movement of mandibular anterior segment and IPAS after surgery was evaluated by mandibular superimposition using lateral cephalograms between before and immediately after surgery. The depth of osteotomy and overlapping ratio were measured. RESULTS: The mean retraction of the mandibular incisor was 4.04 mm at the tip and 4.29 mm at the root apex. The mean vertical movement of the mandibular incisor was 3.33 mm intrusion at the tip and 3.42 mm at the root apex. The axis of the mandibular incisor did not change significantly. Patients with deep curve of Spee showed significantly more intrusion of incisors, whereas the incisor axis became more proclined. The IPAS became narrower, and the hyoid bone moved downward after surgery. The decreased IPAS was positively correlated with retraction of root apex and proclination of the mandibular incisors. CONCLUSION: To establish precise surgical treatment objectives, a balance between the amount of intrusion and changes in axis should be sought after considering anatomical limitations. Mandibular ASO should be performed with caution in skeletal Class II patients vulnerable to airway-related problems.