Rare Enlargement of Genial Tubercles and its Management: A Case Report.

Abstract

Genial tubercles are tiny bony projections located bilaterally around the lingual foramen, on the lingual surface of the mandible giving attachment to geniohyoid inferiorly & genioglossus superiorly. Due to delayed prosthetic rehabilitation & lack of balanced mastication excessive resorption of alveolar processes take place thereby leaving genial tubercles as elevated bony projections. This may pose problems in speech, deglutition & prosthetic rehabilitation. Excessive mobility of tongue may also contribute to enlargement of genial tubercles to such an extent that they may extend beyond the crest of alveolar ridges leaving them vulnerable to spontaneous fracture. This report presents a rare case of excessive enlargement of genial tubercles and its surgical management using a novel technique. This technique not only addresses the removal of the enlarged genial tubercles but also aims at reattachment of muscles attached to these tubercles, in a simple non morbid manner.