Intraoral vertical ramus osteotomy improved the stomatognathic function in an elderly patient with mandibular protrusion: a case report.

Acta Med Okayama 64(5):345-9 (2010) PMID 20975769

This article reports the successful surgical-orthodontic treatment of an elderly patient with dentofacial deformity and signs and symptoms of temporomandibular disorder (TMD). The patient was a 63-year-old woman with a concave profile due to mandibular protrusion. To correct skeletal deformities, the mandible was posteriorly repositioned by employing intraoral vertical ramus osteotomy (IVRO) following presurgical orthodontic treatment. After active treatment for 31 months, the facial profile was significantly improved and satisfactory occlusion was achieved. In addition, TMD symptoms of clicking sounds on the left side and difficulty in mouth opening were resolved. Regarding the findings of magnetic resonance imaging, anterior disc displacement in the opening phase was improved in the temporomandibular joint on the left side. Furthermore, stomatognathic functions were also improved without any aggravation of age-related problems. In conclusion, surgical repositioning of the mandible using IVRO leads to both morphological and functional improvements even in elderly patients.