Comparison of the bite force and occlusal contact area of the deviated and non-deviated sides after intraoral vertical ramus osteotomy in skeletal Class III patients with mandibular asymmetry: Two-year follow-up

Objective The objectives of this study were to compare the time-dependent changes in occlusal contact area (OCA) and bite force (BF) of the deviated and non-deviated sides in mandibular prognathic patients with mandibular asymmetry before and after orthognathic surgery and investigate the factors associated with the changes in OCA and BF on each side. Methods The sample consisted of 67 patients (33 men and 34 women; age range 15–36 years) with facial asymmetry who underwent 2-jaw orthognathic surgery. OCA and BF were taken before presurgical orthodontic treatment, within 1 month before surgery, and 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, 1 year, and 2 years after surgery. OCA and BF were measured using the Dental Prescale System. Results The OCA and BF decreased gradually before surgery and increased after surgery on both sides. The OCA and BF were significantly greater on the deviated side than on the non-deviated side before surgery, and there was no difference after surgery. According to the linear mixed-effect model, only the changes in the mandibular plane angle had a significant effect on BF (p < 0.05). Conclusions There was a difference in the amount of the OCA and BF between the deviated and non-deviated sides before surgery. The change in mandibular plane angle affects the change, especially on the non-deviated side, during the observation period.