Periodontal disease associated with interdental osteotomies after orthognathic surgery

Purpose: One of the main reasons for orthodontics and orthognathic surgery is the prevention of dental loss caused by periodontal disease. Until now there have been no published data describing the periodontal situation near interdental osteotomies after orthognatic surgery. The purpose of this study was to evaluate this situation. Patients and Methods: Thirty patients with Class II malocclusions were studied 4 to 10 years after segmental orthognathic surgery, analyzing the periodontal condition near osteotomies with the aid of periapical and panoramic radiographs. Results: Fifty-one pathologic periodontal lesions were found in the 74 segmental osteotomy sites. There were 35 segmental areas with osseous periodontal defects and 16 segmental areas with missing teeth. Conclusion: A high incidence of dental and periodontal trauma occurs in the region of segmental osteotomies after orthognathic surgery.