Orthognathic Surgery as a Treatment for Temporomandibular Disorders

Factors associated with quality of life before and after orthognathic surgery

PURPOSE

Evaluate which factors compromise patients' quality of life who have undergone orthognathic surgery in the pre and postoperative period of 2 years.

STUDY DESIGN

In this longitudinal prospective study, 46 adult patients undergoing orthognathic surgery were evaluated. The primary outcome variable was quality of life, assessed using the overall score of the orthognathic quality of life questionnaire (OQLQ) in the pre and 2-year postoperative periods. The predictor variables were axis I (temporomandibular dysfunction) and axis II (psychosocial) RDC/TMD diagnoses, assessed preoperatively and 2 years postoperatively; profile, asymmetry, and open bite preoperatively; and orthodontic treatment active 2 years postoperatively. The covariables were age and sex. The OQLQ score was compared preoperatively and postoperatively using the Wilcoxon test and with the other variables using the Mann-Whitney and Kruskall-Wallis tests.

RESULTS

Preoperatively, higher OQLQ scores were associated with myofascial pain (P = .012) and severe depression (P = .030). Two years after surgery, there was an improvement in overall OQLQ (P < .001), myofascial pain (P = .012) and chronic pain (P = .001). However, higher OQLQ scores were associated with individuals who had myofascial pain (P = .012), active orthodontic treatment (P = .007), and other nonspecific physical symptoms including pain (NSPSIP) (P = .049).

CONCLUSION

Quality of life was affected preoperatively by myofascial pain and depression, and although it improved significantly 2 years after surgery, it continued to be affected by myofascial pain, NSPSIP, and active orthodontic treatment.

Condylar Positional Changes in Skeletal Class II and Class III Malocclusions after Bimaxillary Orthognathic Surgery

Orthognathic surgery is indicated to modify the position of the maxillomandibular structure; changes in the mandibular position after osteotomy can be related to changes in the position of the mandibular condyle in the articular fossa. The aim of this study was to determine changes produced in the mandibular condyle 6 months after orthognathic surgery. A cross-sectional study was conducted that included subjects who had undergone bimaxillary orthognathic surgery to treat dentofacial deformity of Angle class II (group CII) or Angle class III (group CIII). Standardized images were taken using cone-beam computed tomography 21 days before surgery and 6 months after surgery; measurement scales were used to identify the condylar position and its relations with the anterior, superior, and posterior joint spaces. The results were analyzed using the Shapiro-Wilk and Student's t-tests, while considering a value of p < 0.05 as indicating a significant difference. Fifty-two joints from 26 patients, with an average age of 27.9 years (±10.81), were analyzed. All subjects in both group CII and group CIII showed a significant change in the anterior, superior, and posterior joint spaces. However, postoperative changes in the position of the condyle in the articular fossa were not significant in the anteroposterior analysis. We conclude that orthognathic surgery causes changes in the sagittal position of the mandibular condyle in subjects with mandibular retrognathism and prognathism.

The Influence of Bolus of Methylprednisolone on Postorthognathic Surgery Symptoms: A Controlled Clinical Trial

OBJECTIVE

Despite improvements in maxillary and mandibular osteotomy, complications still result in around 20%. Post and intraoperative standard therapies, based on the use of betamethasone and tranexamic acid, could help to minimize the onset of side effects. The aim of the study was to compare the role of a supplementary bolus of methylprednisolone rather than the standard therapy in the onset of postoperative symptoms.

METHODS

The authors enrolled 10 patients, affected by class 2 and 3 Dentoskeletal, submitted to the institution for maxillomandibular repositioning osteotomy between October 2020 and April 2021. Patients were divided into 2 groups as follows: 5 patients (group A ) received standard therapy consisting of the administration of 4 mg of betamethasone, intraoperatively, and 1 g of tranexamic acid in 2 administrations. The remaining 5 patients (group B ) received a supplementary bolus of 20 mg methylprednisolone before the end of the surgery.All patients received, in the postoperative period, 4 mg of betamethasone every 12 hours, for 3 days. Postoperative outcomes were evaluated with a questionnaire evaluating speaking discomfort, pain when swallowing, feeding discomfort, drinking discomfort, swelling, and ache. Each parameter was associated with a numeric rating scale ranging from 0 to 5.

RESULTS

The authors observed that patients treated with a supplementary bolus of methylprednisolone (group B ) had a statistically significant reduction of all postoperative symptoms as compared with patients of group A (* P < 0.05, ** P <0.01 Fig. 1 ).

CONCLUSION

The study highlighted that the additional bolus of methylprednisolone improved all of the 6 parameters investigated by the questionnaire submitted to patients, resulting in a faster recovery and improvement of the patient's compliance with surgery. Further studies with a larger population are needed to confirm preliminary results.

Digital template-guided genioplasty for patients with jaw deformity resulting from temporomandibular joint ankylosis: A comparison between single- and double-layer genioplasty

The aim of this study was to compare single- and double-layer digital template-assisted genioplasty for the correction of jaw deformity resulting from temporomandibular joint ankylosis (TMJA). Thirteen patients with jaw deformity resulting from TMJA who underwent lateral arthroplasty, costochondral graft, or total joint replacement combined with single- or double-layer digital template-assisted genioplasty were included. Computed tomography data were obtained for the preoperative design. Digital templates were designed and manufactured using three-dimensional printing to assist with the chin osteotomy and repositioning in single- or double-layer genioplasty. Of the 13 patients included, seven underwent single-layer genioplasty and six underwent double-layer genioplasty. The digital templates precisely reflected the osteotomy planes and repositioning of the chin segments intraoperatively. The radiographic evaluation showed that the patients who underwent double-layer genioplasty exhibited more chin advancement (11.95 ± 0.92 mm vs 7.50 ± 0.89 mm; P < 0.001) with a slightly larger mean surface error (1.19 ± 0.14 mm vs 0.75 ± 0.15 mm; P < 0.001) than those who underwent single-layer genioplasty. This indicates that double-layer genioplasty better promoted chin advancement and improved the facial shape, but was accompanied by more surgical error compared with the preoperative design. Furthermore, hardly any nerve damage was observed. Digital templates are useful for assisting in surgical procedures.

The Impact of Orthodontic Treatment on Masticatory Performance: A Literature Review

The aim of this narrative review was to evaluate the possible association between orthodontic therapy and improved masticatory function. A search strategy was conducted using the PubMed database for up to January 2020 using the keywords "mastication" and "orthodontics". Only human studies investigating mastication in orthodontics settings were selected. The search strategy resulted in 1,011 articles, out of which 57 were included in the final analysis. Investigations have generally agreed that masticatory and chewing functions improved post-orthodontic and orthognathic treatments. Studies also showed improvement in the quality of life of patients' post-orthodontic treatment. The articles examined reinforced that besides esthetic reasons, orthodontic therapy does improve the masticatory and chewing functions of individuals, ultimately enhancing their health-related quality of life.

"Testosterone decreases temporomandibular joint nociception"- A systematic review of studies on animal models

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the present systematic review was to assess the effect of testosterone on temporomandibular joint (TMJ) nociception.

DESIGN

A systematic review of pertinent indexed literature was performed. The focused question addressed was "Is there a connection between testosterone and TMJ nociception?" Original studies were included. In-vitro and ex-vivo studies, case-reports/series, letters to the Editor and commentaries were not sought. Indexed databases were searched without time and language restrictions up to and including September 2021 using different free text key words: testosterone OR "male sex hormones" OR "gonadal hormones" AND "temporomandibular joint" OR "temporomandibular dysfunction" AND nociception AND males. The literature search was performed in accordance with the preferred reporting outcomes of systematic reviews and meta-analysis guidelines. The risk of bias (RoB) was assessed using the SYstematic Review Centre for Laboratory animal Experimentation (SYRCLE) tool.

RESULTS

Out of the 406 studies identified, seven studies on animal-models were included. All studies were performed in rats with age and weight ranging between 21 and 90 days and 200-300 g, respectively. Testosterone was administered in concentrations ranging between 1 and 10 mg/Kg. Results from all studies showed that testosterone administration in gonadectomized male rats reduces induced TMJ nociception. The RoB was high in 3 and unclear in 4 studies.

CONCLUSION

Testosterone offers protection against TMJ nociception in male rats; however, from a clinical perspective, potential contribution of testosterone therapy towards the management of TMD remains indeterminate.

TMJ Position in Symmetric Dentofacial Deformity

The aim of this research was to analyze the facial class, presence of malocclusion, and the mandibular plane and to relate this to the mandibular condyle position. A cross-sectional study in subjects under analysis for orthognathic surgery was done. The mandibular plane, the gonial angle, and the molar class were included to compare the coronal and sagittal position of the condyle and the joint space observed in the CBCT. The measurements were obtained by the same observer at an interval of two weeks. In addition, the Spearman test was performed to determine the correlation using a p value < 0.05 to observe any significant differences. Eighty-nine male and female subjects (18 to 58 years old, 24.6 ± 10.5) were included. In the coronal section, subjects with CIII had a greater mediolateral distance (MLD, p = 0.0001) and greater vertical distance (SID, p = 0.0001) than subjects with CII. In terms of the skeletal class and the mandibular plane, it was observed that subjects in the CII group had a greater mandibular angle (open angle) (p = 0.04) than the CII group and was related to the anterior position of the condyle. The most anterior condylar position was observed in the CII group (p = 0.03), whereas a posterior condylar position was significant in CIII subjects (p = 0.03). We can conclude that the sagittal position of the TMJ was related to the mandibular plane and the skeletal class showing a higher mandibular angle and most anterior position of the condyle in CII subjects and a lower mandibular angle and most posterior position of the condyle in CIII subjects. The implications for surgical treatment have to be considered.

Quality of Life After Class III Repair Orthognathic Surgery: Five-Year Retrospective Study

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effect of orthognathic surgery on the long-term quality of life of patients with presurgical skeletal Class III and to identify its strongest effect-whether esthetic, social, or functional.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this retrospective cohort study, the subjects were patients after orthognathic surgery for repairing skeletal Class III. Fifty-five patients who had undergone orthognathic surgery from 2013 to 2018 in the oral and maxillofacial surgery department participated in this study. Each participant completed a modified questionnaire used to assess the patient's esthetic, social, and functional abilities after orthognathic surgery.

RESULTS

The rate of esthetic improvement in orthognathic surgery patients was 88%. More than four-fifths (81.8%) of the patients reported improvement in their personal and social self-esteem and confidence. Finally, 40.7% of the patients reported functional improvement. No significant differences between male and female patients were found. All but one of the patients recommended orthognathic surgery for patients with similar problems. One in six (17.3%) patients was dissatisfied with the nasal appearance after the surgical procedure, while almost a quarter (21.8%) reported worsening of their mouth opening, and 25.4% reported worsening of TMJ (Temporo-Mandibular Joint) symptoms. Analysis of the results revealed no statistically significant pattern connecting preoperative overjet or overbite measures with satisfaction rates.

CONCLUSIONS

In this study, patient satisfaction with the orthognathic surgical procedure was mostly a result of improvements in facial esthetics, followed by psychological well-being and functional abilities. Most dissatisfaction after the orthognathic surgical procedure was related to nasal appearance, mouth opening, and TMJ complaints.