ABSTRACT
Although it is difficult to estimate, the prevalence of patients with severe skeletal
malocclusions that would require orthognathic surgery is significant. In 1990 Proffit et al.
estimated that the current number of people in the United States who may benefit from
orthognathic surgery is more than 1.5 million (1,2). It is thus important for the plastic
surgeon to have a thorough understanding of the diagnosis and treatment of dentofacial
anomalies.
