Assessment of soft-tissue vs hard-tissue changes after isolated functional genioplasty

Area of Science:

• Orthodontics
• Craniofacial Surgery
• Plastic Surgery

Background:

• Assessing soft-tissue and hard-tissue alterations following isolated functional genioplasty is crucial for understanding long-term outcomes.
• Revisiting hard-tissue remodeling at the symphysis provides insights into skeletal stability post-surgery.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine vertical and horizontal soft-tissue versus hard-tissue changes after isolated functional genioplasty.
• To evaluate hard-tissue remodeling at the symphysis in patients undergoing genioplasty.
• To compare changes in patients of different age groups and with a control group.

Main Methods:

• Seventy-five patients undergoing genioplasty were divided into three age groups (<15, 15-18, ≥19 years).
• Evaluations occurred at three time points: pre-surgery (T1), post-surgery (T2), and 2 years post-surgery (T3).
• A control group of 25 age-matched patients who did not undergo genioplasty was included for comparison.

Main Results:

• Horizontal hard-tissue and soft-tissue changes at the pogonion (Pg) were approximately 6.39 mm and 6.72 mm, respectively, from T1 to T3.
• Vertical hard-tissue change at the menton (Me) showed a reduction in nongrowing patients (females: 1.63 mm, males: 3.89 mm).
• Vertical soft-tissue changes were similar for nongrowing males and females (1.7 mm reduction); soft-tissue thickness changes at Pg were not significant, but increased slightly at Me (0.54 mm).

Conclusions:

• Horizontal hard-tissue changes are stable in nongrowing patients, with soft-tissue changes approximating 92% of hard-tissue changes.
• Vertical soft-tissue changes exhibit less predictability compared to horizontal changes.
• Genioplasty does not alter growth patterns, and observed bone remodeling likely explains differences at the pogonion (Pg).