The Application and Problems of the Mandibular Body Osteotomy

The mandibular body osteotomy operation has become unpopular recently with the development of the mandibular ramus osteotomy. However, there were several cases which seemed to be an indication of this operation.In this paper, a successful surgical-orthodontic case with the mandibular body osteotomy was reported and its associated problems were discussed.A twenty year and five month old man showed mandibular prognathism with anterior open bite due to a large and clockwise rotated mandibular body. The body osteotomy was performed in the space of the first molar extraction. The mandibular arch width was adjusted in pre-surgical orthodontic treatment by the lingual arch appliance. It took two years and three months for the total active treatment and one year for retention. The treatment was finished successfully and followed up for eight months after retention.Through this case, we reconfirmed the usefulness of the body osteotomy in the case of mandibular prognathism with the poor molar condition. By careful maintenance of the excision space, prevention of injurying adjacent teeth and the neurovascular bundle and also comprehensive periodontal care after surgery, we had a stable result with the mandibular body osteotomy.