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Orthognathic surgery procedures mark the endpoint of lengthy orthodontic-surgical preparations and herald the completion of treatment for patients and their families. The main types of procedure are full maxillary Le Fort I osteotomies, mandibular osteotomies and chin surgery. To ensure a successful outcome, all require a favorable environment and extreme technical skill. But, like all surgical operations, they are also subject to peri- and post-operative complications resulting from treatment hazards or errors. Whatever the cause, surgical complications can entail failures in the management of the malformation. By seeking to understand and analyzing these complications, we can already help to prevent and reduce the contingent risks of failure., (© EDP Sciences, SFODF, 2016.)

Most of dentofacial abnomalies are due to mandibular retrognathisms. These abnomalies are surgically treated mostly by mandibular lenghtening with the help of the sagittal split osteotomy although other procedures could be used. Mandibular distraction and advancement of the receding lower jaw by retrocondylar cartilagenous graft are the two main alternatives. The retrocondylar cartilagenous graft has been introduced by Leon Dufourmentel in 1929. This procedure has strong anatomical and physiological basis and has to be better known because it is effective and respects the temporo-mandibular joint. The permanent advancement of the mandible is assured by a retrocondylar graft placed in the pretympanal and extra-articular space located between tympanal bone and retrocondylar venous plexus. All the mandibule retrognathisms should be treated through this approach, especially with associated obstruction sleep apnea syndrome., (© L'Orthodontie Française, Paris, 2006.)

The orbital region and the dental occlusion are biomechanicaly interdependant. The maxillary basal bone is located in the orbital region due to the presence of the maxillary sinus. Any trouble of the dental occlusion such as a retained canine can involve a lack of projection of the supra and the infra-orbital rim. This lack of projection of the infra-orbital rim is responsible of lower eyelid fat pad; the lack of projection of the supra-orbital rim is responsible of an eyebrow-forehead ptosis. Clinical variations can be observed according to the side of the preeminent eye.

Through a revision of the classical anatomy of the exocranial skull base, the authors present of a new exobasicranial plan in cephalometry, the Nasion-Glenion (or Porion plane). The median part of the base devoted to ventilation goes from the Nasion to the spheno-occipital synchondrosis, joining two essentially cartilaginous sites. The lateral parts, with manducatory functions, extend from supra-orbital rim to glenoid fossa and are mainly membranous. Pterygoid processes belong to the facial squeleton. Dental and growth axes are projected on the new exobasicranial base. Facial structures are analyzed in four planes, perpendicular to Francfort plane (facial cutaneous plane, premaxillary plane, postmaxillary plane, craniocervical plane).

The author presents a surgical rhinoplasty, aiming at functional and aesthetic purposes, in dentofacial orthopedics.

The author reviews the morphogenetic and functional consequences of oral breathing in childhood.

The author lists the dysmorphic and dysfunctional causes of nasal obstruction in the child.