title: Comparison of postoperative changes in the distal and proximal segments between conventional and sliding mini-plate fixation following mandibular setback.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the postoperative three-dimensional (3D) changes in the proximal segments after mandibular setback sagittal split ramus osteotomy and to compare the changes between the conventional mini-plate fixation and semi-rigid sliding plate fixation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) images were used to evaluate the postoperative 3D changes in the proximal segments during the healing process. CBCT images were superimposed using the symphysis and the lower anterior mandible as references.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were no statistically significant differences between the conventional mini-plate and semi-rigid sliding plate groups (p> 0.05). With respect to the distribution of changes greater than 2 mm in the landmarks, the right condylion, right coronoid process, and left condylion showed ratios of 55.6%, 50.0%, and 44.4%, respectively, in the semi-rigid sliding plate group; however, none of the landmarks showed ratios greater than 30% in the conventional mini-plate group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There were no statistically significant differences in postoperative changes in the segments between the conventional mini-plate and semi-rigid sliding plate groups. Nevertheless, while selecting the type of fixation technique, clinicians should consider that landmarks with greater than 2 mm changes were higher in the semi-rigid sliding plate group than in the conventional mini-plate group.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthodontics, Dental Research Institute, Pusan National University Dental Hospital, Yangsan, Korea.
authors.forename: Seong-Sik
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthodontics, Dental Research Institute, Pusan National University Dental Hospital, Yangsan, Korea.
authors.forename: Kyoung-Ho
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Kwak
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthodontics, School of Dentistry, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
authors.forename: Ching-Chang
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Ko
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthodontics, Dental Research Institute, Pusan National University Dental Hospital, Yangsan, Korea.
authors.forename: Soo-Byung
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Park
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthodontics, Dental Research Institute, Pusan National University Dental Hospital, Yangsan, Korea.
authors.forename: Woo-Sung
authors.initials: WS
authors.lastname: Son
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthodontics, Dental Research Institute, Pusan National University Dental Hospital, Yangsan, Korea.; Department of Orthodontics, Biomedical Research Institute, Pusan National University Hospital, Busan, Korea.; Institute of Translational Dental Sciences, Pusan National University, Busan, Korea.
authors.forename: Yong-Il
authors.initials: YI
authors.lastname: Kim
keywords: Ostectomy; Stability; Three-dimensional cephalometrics