Dental and soft tissue changes following extraction of second premolars in females with bimaxillary protrusion: A retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: Bimaxillary protrusion is a condition wherein esthetic concerns are the main reason behind seeking orthodontic treatment. AIM: The aim of this retrospective cephalometric study was to evaluate the soft tissue profile and dental changes among female Saudi bimaxillary protrusion patients treated with extraction of all second premolars followed by retraction of the anterior teeth. Subjects and Methods: Pre and posttreatment cephalometric radiographs of adult female patients (ages 18-30 years) who underwent orthodontic therapy for Class I bimaxillary protrusion were obtained. Data were analyzed with SPSS® software. A paired t-test and Pearson's correlation coefficients were conducted with the statistical significance set at 95% (P value < 0.05). RESULTS: At posttreatment, there was an overall decrease in the mean values among the majority of the soft tissue and dental cephalometric angles and linear measurements. Among soft tissue variables, there was a marginal increase in the upper lip length by 1.49 mm (P < 0.001), and the nasolabial angle increased markedly by 7.64° (P < 0.001). Similarly, a marked increase in retroclination by 5.95° (P < 0.001) was observed among the dental variables. Conversely, no significant changes were noted in the lower incisors. Pearson's correlation analysis revealed a significant correlation between all the different dental variables. Within the soft tissue variables, there was a significant positive correlation between changes in the upper lip protrusion, lower lip protrusion, upper lip thickness, and the distance from the upper and lower lips to the S-line.

Post-orthodontic cephalometric variations in bimaxillary protrusion cases managed by premolar extraction - A retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: Bimaxillary protrusion is a common dentofacial condition associated with proclination of maxillary and mandibular incisors in relation to the dental and cranial bases resulting in soft tissue procumbency. The present retrospective study aimed to investigate dental and soft tissue profile changes using cephalometric analysis to evaluate bimaxillary protrusion patients after extraction of the first four premolars and subsequent retraction of the anterior teeth. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Pre-treatment and post-treatment cephalometric radiographs of 46 Saudi patients (16 males and 30 females), 18-30 years of age with bimaxillary protrusion, were selected based on inclusion criteria. Dental and soft tissue landmarks were traced using the Dolphin® imaging software and statistically analyzed with SPSS® 21 software. RESULTS: The upper and lower incisors retroclined by a mean value of 9.6° and 9.65°, respectively, and an average distance of 4.1 mm. The level of maxillary incisor exposure was reduced by approximately 1.1 mm after treatment. A mean increase of 6.6° in the nasolabial angle was also observed. Multiple regression analysis showed that retraction of both upper and lower incisors by 1 mm would result in a 0.44 mm retraction of the upper and lower lips. CONCLUSION: A statistically significant increase in the nasolabial angle and upper lip length was found in relation to upper and lower incisor retraction and retroclination. A significant reduction was also evident in the post treatment upper incisor exposure, facial convexity angle and mentolabial sulcus depth.