Cephalometric Evaluation of Facial Soft Tissue Changes After Orthodontics and Bimaxillary Orthognathic Surgery Treatment in Patients With Skeletal Class Iii Discrepancy

Background: severe skeletal class iii malocclusions usually need a combined treatment of orthodontics and orthognathic surgery. knowing about changes occurred following such treatments lead to improve facial esthetics and better treatment results. objectives: this study was done to determine cephalometric changes of facial soft tissue after combined treatment in patients with skeletal class iii problem. methods: 25 patients with skeletal class iii discrepancy who needed a combined treatment, were selected. changes in nasolabial angle , upper lip and lower lip to e-line distance, angle of convexity , lip-chin-throat angle and lower anterior facial height were measured before and 6 - 12 months after surgery. changes in parameters were analyzed with paired t-test. results: upper lip to e-line distance (p < 0.0001) and angle of convexity (p < 0.001) changed significantly following surgical procedures while changes of other parameters were not significant. conclusions: clinical changes in the soft tissue following a combination of orthodontic treatment and orthognathic surgery in patients with skeletal class iii discrepancy are significant while these changes mostly improves esthetics of patient’s facial profile.