Spectrum and management of dentofacial deformities in a multiethnic Asian population.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this retrospective study is to investigate the spectrum and management of dentofacial deformities in a multiethnic Asian community.


METHODS
Over a period of 3 years (2001 to 2003), 212 patients with dentofacial deformities who had undergone orthognathic surgery in a national tertiary specialist center in Singapore were reviewed. Patients with cleft lip and palate or syndromes were excluded.


RESULTS
The mean age (range: 16 to 58 years) of the patients was 24.0 years (SD 6.4) and the ratio of female to male was 1.3:1. The predominant ethnic group was Chinese (91.5%). The majority of the patients had skeletal Class III pattern (68%). Asymmetry was diagnosed in 36% of all cases and in 48% of skeletal Class III cases. Vertical maxillary excess was diagnosed in 21% of all cases and in 47% of skeletal Class II cases. Bimaxillary surgery involving LeFort and bilateral sagittal split osteotomies was performed in 84% of skeletal Class III cases and in 73% of all cases. Segmental osteotomy and genioplasty were performed in 41% of the cases.


CONCLUSIONS
The findings suggest that the majority of the patients were young Chinese adults with two-jaw deformities requiring bimaxillary surgeries with genioplasty or segmental osteotomy. This finding may reflect the greater severity of dentofacial deformities in patients in the Asian community.
Chew
Ming Tak
MT
Department of Orthodontics, National Dental Centre, Singapore. mingtak@pacific.net.sg
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002680:Chin / Q000601:surgery; D002681:China / Q000208:ethnology; D019465:Craniofacial Abnormalities / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000601:surgery; D005006:Ethnicity; D005146:Facial Asymmetry / Q000208:ethnology / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007194:India / Q000208:ethnology; D008296:Malaysia / Q000208:ethnology; D008297:Male; D008310:Malocclusion / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000601:surgery; D008312:Malocclusion, Angle Class II / Q000208:ethnology / Q000601:surgery; D008313:Malocclusion, Angle Class III / Q000208:ethnology / Q000601:surgery; D008437:Maxilla / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000601:surgery; D008875:Middle Aged; D010027:Osteotomy / Q000379:methods; D019340:Osteotomy, Le Fort; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012846:Singapore