Condylar volume and positional changes following a bilateral sagittal split ramus osteotomy in skeletal class II and III malocclusions

BACKGROUND: Mandibular condyle remodeling and displacement are post-orthognathic surgery concerns that can potentially lead to occlusal issues after bilateral sagittal split ramus osteotomy. This retrospective study examined the relationship between condylar volume changes and position alterations after surgery in patients with skeletal class II and III malocclusions using cone-beam CT. METHODS: The study included 16 patients (6 with Class II malocclusion, 10 with Class III malocclusion) who underwent bilateral sagittal split ramus osteotomy at Chonnam National University Hospital. Cone-beam CT data were collected at three specific time points: before surgery, immediately after surgery, and approximately 6 months post-surgery. Mandibular movement was measured using InVivoDental 5.4.6. ITK-SNAP 3.8.0 was used to assessed condylar volume changes post-surgery. Condyle positions were evaluated in four parts with RadiAnt DICOM Viewer 4.6.9. Statistical analyses were performed using the SPSS version 23. RESULTS: Considering both Class II and III malocclusion, a 2.91% volume reduction was noted immediately and at 6 months after surgery. Both Class II and III cases demonstrated a decrease in superior joint space by -0.59 mm and medial joint space by -1.09 mm. No significant correlation was found between this process and condylar volume change. CONCLUSIONS: The mandibular condyle volume decreased, and superior-medial movement of the condyle was detected in patients with Class II and III malocclusion immediately and at 6 months after surgery with no volume-position correlation.