Mandibular contouring surgery for purely aesthetic reasons

Abstract

The mandible's contour determines the shape of the lower part of the face and thus influences the appearance of the face and neck. There are two types of operative procedures that can be used on mandibular contour and they do not require orthodontic treatment: mandible angle reduction and genioplasty. We divided the mandible angle reduction group into Types A, B, and C according to the grade of angle protrusion. Type A needs just an angle resection, Type B needs an angle resection and resection of part of the body, and Type C needs resection of the angle, the body, and part of the symphysis. We have performed 258 mandibular contouring procedures. In genioplasty, shaving, advancement, shortening, and lengthening generally can be employed. Furthermore, when vertical lengthening is used, ostectomized mandible angle bone is carved and then grafted between the horizontal osteotomy site. Of the mandible angle reduction cases, 21 were Type A, 186 were Type B, and 28 were Type C. The curved ostectomy is most important in mandible angle reduction cases in order to achieve a more natural curve of the mandible's lower border. A total of 71 patients were very pleased with the results of the combined procedures of genioplasty and angle reduction.