Why segment the maxilla between laterals and canines?

INTRODUCTION: Maxillary surgery on a bone segment enables movement in the sagittal and vertical planes. When performed on multiple segments, it further provides movement in the transverse plane. Typical sites for interdental osteotomies are between laterals and canines, premolars and canines, or between incisors. Additionally, osteotomies can be bilateral, unilateral or asymmetric. The ability to control intercanine width, buccolingual angulation of incisors, and correct Bolton discrepancy are some of the advantages of maxillary segmentation between laterals and canines. OBJECTIVE: This article describes important features to be considered in making a clinical decision to segment the maxilla between laterals and canines when treating a dentoskeletal deformity. It further discusses the history of this surgical approach, the indications for its clinical use, the technique used to implement it, as well as its advantages, disadvantages, complications and stability. It is therefore hoped that this paper will contribute to disseminate information on this topic, which will inform the decision-making process of those professionals who wish to make use of this procedure in their clinical practice. CONCLUSIONS: Segmental maxillary osteotomy between laterals and canines is a versatile technique with several indications. Furthermore, it offers a host of advantages compared with single-piece osteotomy, or between canines and premolars.

Why segment the maxilla between laterals and canines?

Introduction: Maxillary surgery on a bone segment enables movement in the sagittal and vertical planes. When performed on multiple segments, it further provides movement in the transverse plane. Typical sites for interdental osteotomies are between laterals and canines, premolars and canines, or between incisors. Additionally, osteotomies can be bilateral, unilateral or asymmetric. The ability to control intercanine width, buccolingual angulation of incisors, and correct Bolton discrepancy are some of the advantages of maxillary segmentation between laterals and canines. Objective: This article describes important features to be considered in making a clinical decision to segment the maxilla between laterals and canines when treating a dentoskeletal deformity. It further discusses the history of this surgical approach, the indications for its clinical use, the technique used to implement it, as well as its advantages, disadvantages, complications and stability. It is therefore hoped that this paper will contribute to disseminate information on this topic, which will inform the decision-making process of those professionals who wish to make use of this procedure in their clinical practice. Conclusions: Segmental maxillary osteotomy between laterals and canines is a versatile technique with several indications. Furthermore, it offers a host of advantages compared with single-piece osteotomy, or between canines and premolars.

Introdução: a cirurgia de maxila em um segmento ósseo possibilita sua movimentação nos planos sagital e vertical. Quando realizada em múltiplos segmentos, contempla também o plano transversal. A localização das osteotomias interdentárias pode ser: entre incisivos laterais e caninos, entre pré-molares e caninos, ou entre os incisivos centrais - podendo ser bilateral, unilateral ou assimétrica. A possibilidade de controle da distância intercaninos, da angulação vestibulolingual dos incisivos e da correção da discrepância de Bolton é uma das vantagens da segmentação da maxila entre incisivos laterais e caninos. Objetivo: o presente artigo descreve aspectos importantes, no tratamento das deformidades dentoesqueletais, a serem considerados na decisão clínica de segmentar-se a maxila entre os incisivos laterais e os caninos. Serão discutidas, também, a história dessa abordagem cirúrgica, as indicações para seu emprego clínico, a técnica para sua utilização, bem como suas vantagens, desvantagens, complicações e estabilidade. Desse modo, espera-se contribuir para o aumento das informações disponíveis sobre o assunto, subsidiando a decisão dos profissionais que queiram considerar o uso dessa técnica em suas atividades clínicas. Conclusão: a osteotomia segmentar de maxila entre os incisivos laterais e os caninos corresponde a uma técnica versátil com diversos tipos de indicações, e apresenta uma série de vantagens, quando comparada com as osteotomias em um segmento ou entre caninos e pré-molares.