Soft-tissue profile changes associated with anterior maxillary osteotomy for severe maxillary protrusion.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to evaluate the soft-tissue profile changes after correction of severe maxillary protrusion with anterior maxillary osteotomy via a cephalometric analysis.


METHODS
Using Wunderer technique, anterior maxillary osteotomies were performed in 14 patients (12 females and 2 males) having severe maxillary protrusion. Standardized lateral digital cephalograms, true size, were taken before the treatment and 12 months after removal of the fixation means. The soft-tissue profile changes resulting from anterior maxillary osteotomy were evaluated by comparing the preoperative and postoperative cephalometric analyses. A statistical analysis was performed using paired t test. The differences were considered significant at P < 0.05.


RESULTS
The labial prominence showed reductions of 31% and 20% for the upper and lower lips, respectively. An increase in the nasolabial angle (16%) was noted subsequent to anterior maxillary osteotomies. Also, the facial convexity angle was increased (7%) postoperatively. The interlabial gap and the upper-lip curvature obviously decreased (56% and 60%, respectively) after surgery. The curvature of the lower lip, labiomental fold, showed a decrease of 17% after surgery, causing flatness to the lower face. The postoperative changes in the soft-tissue cephalometric measurements were statistically significant except for the lower-lip curvature and prominence as well as the lower-face height.


CONCLUSIONS
Anterior maxillary osteotomy is a highly recommended treatment modality for patients with severe maxillary protrusion. The technique is simple with minimal postoperative complications, and the soft-tissue profile changes after surgery are predictable.
Faculty of Oral and Dental Medicine, Cairo University, Alharm Hospital, Ministry of Health, Cairo, Egypt. daif_emad@yahoo.com
Emad T
ET
Daif
D000328:Adult; D002508:Cephalometry; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008312:Malocclusion, Angle Class II / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D063166:Maxillary Osteotomy / Q000379:methods*; D011859:Radiography; D016896:Treatment Outcome