Surgical Procedures in the Mandible

The surgical correction of bite position anomalies or dysgnathia is a complex interplay of interdisciplinary cooperation between surgeons and orthodontists. Mandibular surgery by various techniques is one of the most common surgeries. It can be performed alone or in combination with maxilla- or midfacial surgery. The requirements for a high-quality outcome are careful diagnostics, consideration of the patient’s chief complaint, correct indication, differentiated therapy planning, and, if the patient complies appropriately, consistent implementation of the planning with the use of adequate techniques. In addition, interdisciplinary cooperation with dentists, logopedics, and physiotherapists is necessary in many cases. This chapter deals with the two most commonly used techniques: the bi-sagittal split osteotomy (a technique splitting the tooth-bearing from the joint-bearing segment) and the Delaire/Joos osteotomy (a step technique) used to separate fragments within the dental arch. The surgical techniques as well as the indications for each technique are described.