HARD AND SOFT-TISSUE PREDICTABILITY WITH ADVANCEMENT GENIOPLASTIES

Variability in soft tissue response to genial advancements has been no ted in the literature. Although many factors may influence the results , little attention has been paid to bony vertical movement in conjunct ion with the bony horizontal movement of the chin and its effect on ho rizontal soft tissue movement. Eighteen patients who underwent isolate d genial advancements were studied preoperatively and for at least 6 m onths after surgery. It was noted that the further the chin was advanc ed the less the soft tissue followed the advancement. In addition, ver tical movement of the chin greatly influenced the overall result. The more the bony chin is shortened, the thicker the soft tissue chin beco mes; the reverse is true when it is lengthened. Finally, horizontal re sorption/stability appears to be influenced by the amount of dissectio n rather than the amount of advancement.