Changes in Facial Soft Tissue Asymmetry in Class II Patients One Year After Orthognathic Surgery

Area of Science:

• Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
• Plastic Surgery
• Aesthetic Surgery

Background:

• Skeletal Class II malocclusion often requires orthognathic surgery.
• Facial soft tissue changes after orthognathic surgery are crucial for aesthetic outcomes.
• Quantifying facial asymmetry requires precise 3D measurement techniques.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate temporal changes in facial soft tissue asymmetry following Class II orthognathic surgery.
• To utilize three-dimensional (3D) stereophotogrammetry for objective asymmetry assessment.
• To compare asymmetry levels between genders and surgical types.

Main Methods:

• A cohort of 54 patients (32 female, 22 male) with skeletal Class II malocclusion underwent orthognathic surgery.
• Three-dimensional (3D) stereophotogrammetry data were collected at three time points: pre-surgery (T0), 6 months post-surgery (T1), and 12 months post-surgery (T2).
• Twenty-one anthropometric landmarks were analyzed to quantify facial asymmetry, classified as mild, moderate, or severe.

Main Results:

• Statistically significant differences (p < 0.05) in 3D measurements were observed between pre-surgery (T0) and post-surgery (T1, T2) time points.
• Males exhibited greater soft tissue asymmetry than females prior to surgery.
• While chin volume asymmetry scores were higher in females and bimaxillary surgery patients, these differences were not statistically significant.

Conclusions:

• Facial soft tissue asymmetry can be significantly altered within six months after Class II orthognathic surgery.
• Three-dimensional (3D) stereophotogrammetry provides a reliable method for tracking these post-surgical changes.
• Further research may explore long-term asymmetry trends and influencing factors.