부산대학교 도서관

The purpose of this case report is to describe the considerations in surgical orthodontic treatment of a patient with skeletal Class III malocclusion and potential airway problem. A 30-year-old female patient showed skeletal Class III malocclusion and a narrow airway space. After presurgical orthodontic treatment, the bimaxillary orthognathic surgery with bimaxillary anterior segmental osteotomy was done to move the posterior segment of the maxilla forward and reduce the amount of mandibular setback. The remaining extraction space was closed during the postoperative orthodontic treatment. After the orthodontic treatment, proper overjet and overbite were obtained and the protruded mandible was corrected. The airway space increased postoperatively compared to the preoperative condition. In patients with Class III malocclusion who have predisposing factors or present symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) or who have been diagnosed with OSA, consideration to minimize reduction of the airway space is necessary in treatment planning.