Effect of Location of Genioplasty Osteotomy Line on Hard- and Soft-Tissue Contour of the Chin and Related Complications

Abstract

AIM: This study aimed to assess the effect of the location of the genioplasty osteotomy line on hard- and soft-tissue contour of the chin and the occurrence of irregularity in the inferior border of the mandible.
 METHODS: In this retrospective cohort study, 20 patients who had undergone osseous genioplasty were divided into two groups with (A) osteotomy line at the premolar site and (B) osteotomy line at the molar site and were evaluated for irregularity in the inferior border of the mandible. Assessments were made using lateral cephalometry, panoramic radiography, and clinical examinations. Patients were also asked about their level of satisfaction with the outcome.
 RESULTS: Radiographically, 70% of patients in Group A and 40% of those in Group B had an irregularity in the inferior border of the mandible (p > 0.05). Palpation revealed that 70% in Group A and 60% in Group B had an irregularity in the inferior border of the mandible (p > 0.05). Inspection revealed such irregularity in 80% of patients in Group A and 20% in Group B (p < 0.05). Overall, 60% in Group A and 90% in Group B were satisfied with the results of genioplasty and did not mention anything about the occurrence of this complication (p > 0.05).
 CONCLUSIONS: Genioplasty with an osteotomy line at the molar site (compared to premolar site) had a lower incidence of the irregularity of the inferior border of the mandible and yielded higher patient satisfaction with the outcome.
 PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: Irregularity in the inferior border of mandible following conventional genioplasty is a common finding on radiographic and clinical examinations.