Functional genioplasty in growing patients

Area of Science:

• Orthodontics and Maxillofacial Surgery
• Skeletal Biology
• Regenerative Medicine

Background:

• Genioplasty is a surgical procedure to alter the chin.
• Age may influence bone healing and remodeling post-surgery.
• Understanding age-related differences is crucial for optimizing surgical outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of patient age on bone regeneration and symphysis remodeling following genioplasty.
• To determine if younger patients exhibit different bone healing patterns compared to older patients after chin surgery.

Main Methods:

• A cohort of 54 patients undergoing genioplasty was divided into three age groups (<15, 15-19, ≥20 years).
• A control group of 23 patients without genioplasty was included for comparison.
• Radiographic evaluations were performed pre-surgery, immediately post-surgery, and 2 years after surgery.

Main Results:

• While genial advancement was similar across age groups, younger patients (<15 years) showed significantly greater bone remodeling around the repositioned chin.
• Symphysis thickness increased significantly in all groups, with a more pronounced increase observed in the youngest group.
• Enhanced bone apposition and remodeling were noted in younger patients, linked to greater dentoalveolar process growth, with no adverse effects on mandibular growth.

Conclusions:

• Forward-upward genioplasty results in increased symphysis thickness, bone apposition, and inferior border remodeling.
• Early surgical intervention (before age 15) is associated with superior bone remodeling outcomes after genioplasty.
• Age is a significant moderator of bone regeneration patterns post-genioplasty, favoring younger individuals.