Purpose: The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of mandibular surgery, both BSSO an DO, on condylar head remodelling.

Materials and methods: Using a retrospective study design we evaluated DVT data out of 40 patients suffering from mandibular retrognathia. We performed a BSSO or DO (20 patients in each group) and analyzed the DVT data at different time points (preoperative, postoperative and over the period of two years). Measurement analysis were done using the Hoppenreijs method. The clinical protocol of distraction was standardized although we used two different distraction devices.

Results: Radiologically we found neither a relapse nor a severe resorption of the mandibular condyle. But all measurements showed up a correlation of the angle of the condyle and the sagittal axis of the distraction device.

Conclusion: Showing up no resorption but a deformation of the condyle we strongly emphasize class 2 elastics over the period of 2 months. Furthermore, and in order to avoid the deformation of the condyle we recommend a new device allowing easy control of the sagittal vector of distraction. The new device will be shown.