Considerations for orthognathic surgery during growth, Part 2: Maxillary deformities

The growing patient can present to the clinician with significant dentofaci al deformities that require surgical correction. in some cases, certain fun ctional, esthetic, and psychosocial factors may necessitate early surgical intervention. Although there is extensive literature on the effects and sta bility of orthognathic surgical correction of maxillary deformities in adul ts, the same is not true for the pediatric and adolescent growing patient. Not much is known about the predictability of orthognathic surgical procedu res performed during growth or the effects such procedures have on subseque nt facial growth. There is always the possibility that secondary corrective procedures may be required after the initial corrective surgery. This arti cle presents recommendations based on available research and personal clini cal experience in surgical correction of maxillary deformities in growing p atients. The common maxillary dentofacial deformities, age considerations, and surgical alternatives and sequencing are presented. The treatment of ma ndibular deformities is addressed in Part 1 of this article.