Characteristics of soft tissue profile in patients with skeletal class III

Introduction: Patients with skeletal class III have typical characteristics of soft tissue profile. Aim: The aim of this study was to determine characteristics of soft tissue profile in patients with skeletal class III and to find possible significant differences between these patients and patients in the control group (without malocclusion in sagittal direction). Methods: Twenty patients of the Department of Orthodontics, Belgrade School of Dentistry, were included in this study. Average age in this group was 8 years and 5 months. In experimental group there were 13 girls and 7 boys. Changes in soft tissue profile by clinical examination, photographic and cephalometric analysis were determinated during the whole diagnostic procedure. In the clinical examination, type of profile, characteristics of lips, facial harmony in vertical direction and the angle of mandibular plane were analyzed. On lateral cephalometrics, the following parameters were measured and analyzed: sagittal parameters SNA, SNB and ANB and parameters in Schwarz, Ricketts and Holdaway analysis of soft tissue profile. Results: Patients in the experimental group had significantly different changes in soft tissue profile. It was the consequence of existing skeletal malocclusion in sagittal direction. Statistically, differences were significant (p<0.01) Conclusion: Measurements and analysis showed that patients had typical severe concave profile. Most often, the position of soft tissue structures did not compensate skeletal anomalies.