Adaptation of jaw closing muscles after surgical mandibular advancement procedures in different vertical craniofacial types: a magnetic resonance imaging study

ObjectiveSurgical mandibular advancement influences the biomechanics of the mandible and as a result may provoke relapse. In this study, the adaptation of the masseter (MAS) and medial pterygoid muscles (MPM) after surgical mandibular advancement was evaluated.Study designOf 12 patients with mandibular retrognathia and varying vertical craniofacial morphology, axial and 30° angulated magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan series were taken preoperatively and 10 to 48 months postoperatively. Using cluster analysis, subjects were assigned to a long-face (LF) and a short-face (SF) cluster. Subsequently, preoperative and postoperative maximum cross-sectional areas and volumes of the MAS and MPM were compared in these groups.ResultsThe cross-sectional area and volume of the MAS decreased significantly in both the SF and LF cluster (up to 18%). Although not significantly, this phenomenon tended to be more pronounced in LF patients. The cross-sectional area of the MPM showed less adaptation.ConclusionThe jaw-closing muscles become significantly smaller after surgical mandibular advancement, irrespective of the vertical craniofacial type.