Skeletal, dental and soft tissue changes in postural class III malocclusion treated with a maxillary removable appliance.

OBJECTIVE: This longitudinal retrospective cephalometric study was undertaken in an attempt to evaluate the effect of upper removable appliances on the hard and soft tissue structures in subjects with postural Class III.

METHODS: The material consisted of cephalometric films of 17 Class III patients (8 females and 9 males, with a mean age of 10.10+/-1.63). Each treated patient was matched before treatment with Class III subject for sex and age. Differences in treated group at T1 and T2 and between treated and untreated groups were examined using paired t-test and independent t-test respectively.

RESULTS: Treated and untreated Class III subjects differed in mandibular prognathism (SNB, P<0.01). Upper incisors proclined and inter-incisal angle reduced during treatment (P<0.001). Soft tissue A point moved anteriorly as maxillary incisors were proclined (P<0.05). Soft tissue profile was improved (NNP, P<.05; NAP, P<0.01).

CONCLUSION: Skeletal dental and soft tissue changes were found in patients treated by upper removable appliance in postural Class III patients.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE: upper removable appliance is an efficient method to procine upper incisors in postural Class III malocclusion and may be of greater influence in improving soft tissue profile.