Type of maxillary segment mobilization affects three-dimensional nasal morphology

Area of Science:

• Orthognathic surgery
• Plastic surgery
• Craniofacial surgery

Background:

• Surgical manipulation of the maxillary segment is known to influence nasal morphology.
• Understanding the precise effects of different maxillary mobilization techniques on nasal form is crucial for surgical planning and outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate and quantify the impact of various maxillary mobilization techniques on three-dimensional (3D) nasal morphometry.
• To compare the effects of different maxillary positions on nasal soft tissue changes post-orthognathic surgery.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) data from patients undergoing two-jaw orthognathic surgery.
• Classification of 3D facial models based on maxillary mobilization type (advancement, setback, intrusion, extrusion) and final maxillary position.
• Measurement of six 3D soft tissue nasal morphometric parameters and computation of changes between pre- and postoperative models.

Main Results:

• Maxillary intrusion mobilization led to significant changes in alar width, alar base width, and nostril angle, and a smaller change in nasal tip height compared to extrusion.
• Advancement and setback mobilizations showed no significant differences in nasal morphometric changes.
• Anterosuperior and posterosuperior maxillary positions resulted in greater changes in alar base width and nostril angle than anteroinferior and posteroinferior positions.

Conclusions:

• The specific type of maxillary mobilization employed in orthognathic surgery significantly influences three-dimensional nasal morphometry.
• Maxillary position post-surgery is also a critical factor affecting nasal soft tissue changes, particularly alar base width and nostril angle.