[Soft tissue profile changes after maxillary protraction in complete unilateral cleft lip and palate patients].
OBJECTIVE
The purpose is to evaluate the soft tissue profile changes in patients with complete unilateral cleft lip and palate treated after maxillary protraction.


METHODS
12 patients with complete unilateral cleft lip and palate were treated using maxillary protraction. Lateral cephalometric films were taken before and after treatment. Soft tissue profile changes were evaluated by comparing the difference of soft tissue landmarks between two films.


RESULTS
After maxillary protraction, the convex of nose (S-Ns-PRN) increased significantly (P<0.001), the convex of maxillary soft tissue was increased by 3.8 degree (P<0.01). The convex of middle face changed significantly (P<0.01). In mandible angle S-Ns-SM was decreased one degree (P>0.05). Vertically, there was no significant difference in upper face height (P>0.05). Total face height increased significantly (P<0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
After treatment of maxillary protraction, the soft tissue profile in patients with complete cleft lip and palate improved significantly.
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgury, School of Stomatology, Shanghai Second Medical University, Shanghai 200011, China.
H
H
Zhang
M
M
Zhu
J Y
JY
Chen
B
B
Fang