Introduction

Perhaps no patient care plan in medicine requires more communication in order to achieve optimal outcomes than a combined orthodontic and orthognathic surgical treatment plan. This issue of Seminars in Orthodontics highlights the importance of the critical interactions between the patient, Orthodontist, and Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon, where we have assembled experts in the fields of Orthodontics and Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery in these specific areas to provide updates and philosophies of current therapy for a variety of dentoskeletal deformities utilizing a combined orthodontic-surgical treatment paradigm approach. Technological advances in the diagnosis and treatment planning for facial deformities has progressed rapidly over the past decade, and these adjuncts to care continue to evolve and have an impact on the accuracy, predictability, and reliability to achieve excellent patient outcomes. We have organized this issue to begin with an orthodontic perspective regarding the diagnosis and treatment planning for the orthognathic surgical patient, and then we explore various topics including the role of orthognathic surgery in the management of obstructive sleep apnea, the current indications for the use of distraction osteogenesis in the maxillofacial skeleton, and the complex management of severe craniofacial syndromes and dysmorphologies. The appropriate and responsible use of technology, including 3D imaging and virtual surgical planning in orthodontics and orthognathic surgery is explored, as well as the use of facial aesthetic procedures to enhance the overall orthodontic and orthognathic surgical outcomes. Finally, it is imperative that we include the role of total joint replacement associated with the orthognathic surgical patient.

The main intent of this issue is to provide an update for the practicing Orthodontist and Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon regarding the current standard of practice using a combined orthodontic and surgical treatment approach using current technology in order to provide optimal care for patients.