BACKGROUNDS: This article reports the dual function of a double-Y miniplate with a detachable C-tube head (C-chin plate; Jin Biomed Co., Bucheon, Korea) used to fixate an anterior segmental osteotomy and provide skeletal anchorage during orthodontic tooth movement.
METHODS: Cases were selected for this study from patients who underwent anterior segmental osteotomy under local anesthesia. A detachable C-tube head portion was combined with a double-Y chin plate. The double-Y chin plates were fixated between the osteotomy segments and the mandibular base with screws in a conventional way. The C-tube head portion exited the tissue near the mucogingival junction.
RESULTS: Biocreative Chin Plates were placed on the anterior segmental osteotomy sites. The device allowed 3 points of fixation: 1, minor postosteotomy vertical adjustment of the segment during healing; 2, minor shift of the midline during healing; and 3, to serve as temporary skeletal anchorage device during the post-anterior segmental osteotomy orthodontic treatment. When tooth movement goals are accomplished, the C-tube head of the chin plate can be easily detached from the fixation miniplate by twisting the head using a Weingart plier under local anesthesia. This dual-purpose device spares the patient from the need for 2 separate installations for stabilization of osteotomy segments.
CONCLUSIONS: The dual-purpose double-Y miniplate combined with a C-tube head (Biocreative Chin Plate) provided versatile application of 3 points of post-osteotomy fixation and of temporary skeletal anchorage for orthodontic tooth movement.