Tip upturning and maxillary advancement: the UT angle.

Area of Science:

• Plastic Surgery
• Orthodontics
• Facial Aesthetics

Background:

• Facial aesthetics significantly motivate patients seeking orthognathic surgery.
• Nasal aesthetics are crucial in planning orthognathic procedures.
• Forecasting nasal tip projection is important for surgical outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present a method for forecasting nasal tip projection changes after maxillary advancement.
• To quantify the relationship between maxillary advancement and nasal upturning angle alteration.

Main Methods:

• Study included 56 patients undergoing maxillary advancement (Le Fort I osteotomy).
• Nasal upturning angle was measured pre-operatively and 6 months post-operatively.
• Correlation between maxillary advancement (mm) and change in upturning angle (degrees) was analyzed.

Main Results:

• All patients achieved good aesthetic and functional results with no major complications.
• A consistent decrease in the nasal upturning angle was observed.
• The upturning angle decreased by 0.6 to 0.8 degrees for every millimeter of maxillary advancement.

Conclusions:

• Maxillary advancement in orthognathic surgery predictably alters nasal tip projection.
• The study provides a quantifiable method to forecast nasal upturning angle changes.
• This data aids surgeons in planning for improved aesthetic outcomes in orthognathic surgery.