Orofacial Cleft and Mandibular Prognathism—Human Genetics and Animal Models

Many complex molecular interactions are involved in the process of craniofacial development. Consequently, the network is sensitive to genetic mutations that may result in congenital malformations of varying severity. The most common birth anomalies within the head and neck are orofacial clefts (OFCs) and prognathism. Orofacial clefts are disorders with a range of phenotypes such as the cleft of the lip with or without cleft palate and isolated form of cleft palate with unilateral and bilateral variations. They may occur as an isolated abnormality (nonsyndromic—NSCLP) or coexist with syndromic disorders. Another cause of malformations, prognathism or skeletal class III malocclusion, is characterized by the disproportionate overgrowth of the mandible with or without the hypoplasia of maxilla. Both syndromes may be caused by the presence of environmental factors, but the majority of them are hereditary. Several mutations are linked to those phenotypes. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge regarding the genetics of those phenotypes and describe genotype–phenotype correlations. We then present the animal models used to study these defects.

Correlation Analysis between Three-Dimensional Changes in Pharyngeal Airway Space and Skeletal Changes in Patients with Skeletal Class II Malocclusion following Orthognathic Surgery

Introduction. Studies on the pharyngeal airway space (PAS) changes using three-dimensional computed tomography (CT) have shed more light on patients with Class III than Class II malocclusion. This paper focuses on analyzing the long-term changes in the PAS and evaluating the postoperative association between these PAS and skeletal changes in patients with skeletal Class II malocclusion who have undergone orthognathic surgery. Methods. The records of 21 patients with skeletal Class II malocclusion who had undergone orthognathic surgery were included. The anatomical modifications in both jaws, changes in volume, sectional area (SA), minimum sectional area (MSA), and anterior-posterior (AP) and transverse (TV) width in the airway at one month before surgery ( T 0 ), and one month ( T 1 ) and one year ( T 2 ) after surgery were analyzed using CT images. The association between the skeletal and airway changes was evaluated between T 0 , T 1 , and T 2 . Results. After surgery, the ANS, A point, and PNS demonstrated significant posterior and superior movement. The B point and the pogonion exhibited substantial anterior and superior movement. The total and inferior oropharyngeal volumes (vol 3, vol 4) notably increased, while the nasopharyngeal volume (vol 1) decreased. The anterior-posterior movement at the ANS and PNS after surgery was significantly associated with the total volume, vol 2, vol 3, SA 1, MSA, and TV width 1, while substantial association with the total volume was found at the pogonion. Conclusion. Thus, an ideal treatment plan can be formulated for patients with skeletal Class II malocclusion by considering the postoperative PAS changes.

Interception of a Reverse Incisor Occlusion in Mixed Dentition

Introduction: This case report describes an orthodontic interception of a mixed dentition reverse incisor bite in a 12-year-old boy at the time of consultation. Case Report: After a careful clinical examination supported by routine radiological examinations, a skeletal class III diagnosis was made and an orthodontic interception was decided to restore the inverted incisor joint and the various orofacial functions disrupted by the malocclusion. After twenty months of interceptive treatment consisting of a joint jump and class III intermaxillary traction, we found satisfactory overhang and coverage allowing us to monitor the placement of the definitive canines with an improvement in the skin profile and smile. Conclusion: This simple gesture which made it possible to put the mandible back in a position restoring normal incisal coverage contributes to good orofacial muscle maturation closely linked to the various occlusal functions restored.

Evaluation of Postsurgical Stability And Condylar Morphology In Skeletal Class II Patients With Condylar Resorption Following Orthognathic Surgery

Background: To retrospectively evaluate postsurgical stability and condylar morphology for skeletal class II malocclusion patients with condylar resorption (CR) treated with orthognathic surgery.Methods: Thirty-five patients treated with combined orthodontic and orthognathic surgery between 2014 and 2018 were enrolled in this retrospective study. CT scans were acquired preoperatively (T0), 2–7 days after surgery (T1), and 1 year postoperatively (T2). The amount of mandibular advancement, postsurgical relapse, condylar morphology and joint spaces were analysed respectively. Statistical analysis was performed using R, version 3.4.3 (R Development Core Team 2010).Results: The average mandibular advancement and counter-clockwise rotation were 5.51 mm and -2.82 degrees respectively. The average relapse was 1.08 mm (19.6% of the advancement) and 1.13 degrees. The condylar volume showed a postoperative reduction of 161.86 mm3(13.7% of initial condylar volume). AJS increased after surgery and gradually returned to its original state, while SJS and PJS decreased and remained stable. Surgical advancement of B point was significantly correlated with skeletal relapse. The optimal cut-off values were as follows: MP-FH (40.75°); ramus height (51.125 mm); SJS (1.63 mm); surgical displacement (4.72 mm); CCR (-4.3°); AJSC (1.07 mm).Conclusions: Skeletal class II patients with CR have a high risk of postsurgical condylar resorption, which was most related to nonsurgical risk factors such as gender(female) and condylar angle. Condylar had moved posteriorly to the concentric position after surgery and remained quite stable through the 1-year follow-up. Preoperative skeletal patterns such as lower ramus height and surgical procedures such as larger advancement of the mandible were closely associated with sagittal relapse of the mandible.