title: Spectrum and management of dentofacial deformities in a multiethnic Asian population.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthodontics, National Dental Centre, Singapore. mingtak@pacific.net.sg
authors.forename: Ming Tak
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Chew
mesh_terms: 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