title: Stability after surgical correction of mandibular prognathism using the sagittal split ramus osteotomy and fixation with poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) screws.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study was designed to examine skeletal stability after surgical correction of mandibular prognathism using a sagittal split ramus osteotomy (SSRO) and fixation with poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) screws.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty patients with Class III malocclusion were treated with bilateral SSRO and mandibular setback. Ten underwent fixation with titanium screws (group I) and the other 10 with PLLA screws (group II). Cephalograms were obtained 2 or 3 days postoperatively, and at 3, 6, and 12 months after the operation. Changes in the position of upper incisors (U-1), lower incisors (L-1), B-point, and pogonion were examined on lateral cephalograms.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Certain tendencies for overjet and overbite were noted to have decreased more markedly, and changes in the position of the skeletal points were greater in group II than in group I. However, statistical analysis showed no significant differences between the two groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results suggest that fixation of the bony segments with PLLA screws after SSRO may be used effectively in properly selected cases.
authors.affiliation: Second Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Dentistry, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Japan.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Harada
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Enomoto
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D001863:Bone Screws; D002508:Cephalometry; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D019248:Jaw Fixation Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation*; D019344:Lactic Acid; D008297:Male; D008313:Malocclusion, Angle Class III / Q000601:surgery; D008334:Mandible / Q000601:surgery*; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D011091:Polyesters; D011108:Polymers; D011378:Prognathism / Q000601:surgery*; D014025:Titanium
chemical_list: D011091:Polyesters; D011108:Polymers; D019344:Lactic Acid; C033616:poly(lactide); D014025:Titanium