Skeletal Class III and open bite treated with bilateral sagittal split osteotomy and molar intrusion using titanium screws

Two-jaw surgery has been performed for the treatment of severe skeletal open bite cases to obtain stability of occlusion after treatment. If molar intrusion with titanium screws could be performed instead of surgical superior repositioning of the maxilla, the incidence of surgical invasion would be reduced. However, there have been few reports of such a therapy. This case report describes treatment for skeletal Class III and open bite with bilateral sagittal split osteotomy and intrusion of the molars using titanium screws. The patient had a concave profile, a long lower facial height, Class III malocclusion, and excessive anterior open bite following mandibular protrusion and a high mandibular plane angle. The mandible autorotated closed 3.5 degrees following intrusion of the upper and lower molars using titanium screws during the presurgical orthodontic treatment phase. After the autorotation of the mandible, a mandibular setback with a bilateral sagittal split osteotomy was performed. The posttreatment records showed a good facial profile and occlusion. The mandible was stable 1 year after surgery. These results demonstrate that surgical orthodontic treatment combined with bilateral sagittal split osteotomy and intrusion of the molars using titanium screws can reduce the need for surgical invasion by avoidance of maxillary surgery and was effective for correcting the facial profile and occlusion in a skeletal Class III and open bite patient.