The influence of mild versus severe hypodontia on facial soft tissues? A three-dimensional optical laser scanning-based cohort study

Comparison of craniofacial morphology in individuals with and without hypodontia with a special focus on the number of congenitally missing teeth

Background

Hypodontia might negatively affect dental function and esthetics, what might affect patients' self-esteem, communication behavior, professional performance and thus quality of life. The aim of this study was to estimate the influence of number of congenital missing teeth on dentofacial features.

Methods

Lateral cephalograms of 60 individuals with hypodontia (study group) and 40 individuals without hypodontia (control group) were analyzed. Patients in the study group were divided into two subgroups according to the number of missing teeth (group A with hypodontia 1 to 4 teeth and group B with hypodontia 5 or more teeth). Cephalometric data were compared among the study and control groups and statistically analyzed.

Results

The results in the present study revealed a significantly shorter and more retrognathic maxilla, more prognathic chin position, more retruded incisors in both jaws, large interincisal angle, straighter facial convexity as well as more retruded upper and lower lips in the group B compared with the control group. In the group A only chin position was significantly more prognathic compared with the control group.

Conclusions

According to the results of present study impact of hypodontia on the craniofacial morphology and consequently on facial esthetics was found statistically significantly greater in patients with 5 or more congenitally missing teeth.

Soft tissue profile changes during treatment of patients with Class II malocclusion

Introduction/Objective. The class II malocclusion results in disbalanced facial harmony, primarily noticeable in the profile and the lower facial third. Aside from skeletal evaluation, orthodontic diagnosis and treatment planning should include facial soft tissue analysis. The aim of the study was to identify the soft tissue profile outcomes of orthodontic treatment of Class II, division 1 malocclusion patients and to determine if these changes are related with the different treatment protocol. Methods. The first group was the non-extraction group (25 patients) treated first with the Herbst appliance, and the second group was four premolars extraction group (25 patients) treated with a multibracket appliance. The patients? cephalograms and pre- and post-treatment profile photographs were used. Results. The improvement in the non-extraction group was evident in the decrease of the nasomental angle, the angle representing the projection of the upper lip to the chin, as well as the upper lip angle. In the extraction group, the nasolabial angle showed a significant increase. Soft tissue variables showed significant differences between the groups: the total facial angle or facial convexity including the nose and the angle presenting the projection of the upper lip to chin. Conclusion. The patients treated without extractions showed a significant improvement of the convex profile and favorable soft tissue changes in the lower third of the face.