Orthognathic surgery for the treatment of chronic self-mutilation of the lips.

Self-mutilation by lip chewing is an uncommon problem, but may result in severe mutilation, infection and loss of tissue, with associated scarring. Many modalities of treatment have been proposed in the literature with variable success and morbidity to the patient. Alternative techniques involving orthognathic surgery to create an anterior open bite are described which may result in cessation of self-mutilation. A case is presented with a 13-year follow-up, the anterior open bite is still present, and no recurrence of self-mutilation.