Micrognathia: small mandible and profile
Quick facts
- Definition
- A mandible of reduced size relative to the rest of the face.
- Difference
- Micrognathia is the whole mandible; microgenia is only the chin; retrogenia is the recessed chin.
- Effect
- Convex profile, chin that looks recessed, poorly defined mandibular angle.
- Relevance in HOF
- In skeletal cases, volume only disguises, and orthodontic or surgical assessment is part of care.
Micrognathia is the term for a mandible that is small relative to the skull and the rest of the face. It can be mild and affect only the contour, or marked and associated with functional problems, such as difficulty chewing and breathing. In newborns, it has its own clinical importance; in adult life, the complaint is usually aesthetic and about the profile, but it can also have a functional component.
How does micrognathia show up in the face?
The lower third is the most affected. Common signs are:
- a chin that looks recessed, with a convex profile;
- a poorly defined mandibular angle;
- a short jawline, with a smooth transition to the neck;
- a lower lip with little support and, sometimes, an altered bite.
It is confused with other terms. Microgenia describes only the small chin. Retrogenia describes the chin positioned back. Micrognathia, in turn, involves the whole mandible, and may be associated with Angle Class II in orthodontics.
Why does HOF need to know?
Because the look of the lower third cannot be corrected with volume alone. In mild cases, chin and jawline filler can improve visual balance. In moderate to marked cases, trying to compensate for everything with product produces full, heavy and disproportionate faces, and leaves the cause aside.
That is why the first step is a differential diagnosis. When a skeletal cause or malocclusion is suspected, the orthodontist and the oral and maxillofacial surgery team should join the conversation. The HOF professional works best when they know the limit of what filler delivers.
What should you discuss with the patient?
Be clear on three points: what is structural, what volume can and cannot do, and what alternatives exist. Avoid expressions that suggest a defect, and value what the patient wants to change.
In Harmy
The Chin and Jawline points simulate filler in those areas, seen from the front, with the volume in ml entered. The app does not analyze the profile or the bone structure. The projection is illustrative and does not represent a skeletal correction.
Also called: small mandible, mandibular hypoplasia.
Frequently asked questions
Does filler fix micrognathia?
No. It can improve the look of the contour in mild cases, but the cause is skeletal and, when relevant, the definitive treatment involves orthodontics and, sometimes, surgery.