Profile changes following orthodontic treatment of bimaxillary protrusion in adults with the Begg appliance

Abstract

Thirty-two adult oriental patients aged 18-26 years who sought treatment for their bimaxillary protrusion were treated with the Begg appliance following extraction of four first premolars. A cephalometric study was undertaken to determine the soft tissue changes in lip profile following treatment. Results show that the upper incisors were retracted by 5.6 mm +/- 0.8 mm and the lower incisors by 4.4 +/- 0.8 mm on the average. The nasolabial angle became more obtuse increasing from 80.7 degrees to 90.7 degrees. The upper lip and lower lip lengthened by 1.9 mm and 1.2 mm, respectively. The lower lip to 'E' line reduced from 7.5 mm to 3.7 mm. All the previous changes were statistically significant (p less than 0.01). The upper lip to upper incisor retraction was 1:2.2 while the lower lip to lower incisor retraction was 1:1.4. The correlation coefficients (r) were 0.72 (p less than 0.01) and 0.80 (p less than 0.01), respectively. The changes in the cants of mandibular and occlusal planes were statistically insignificant. This study shows that the Begg appliance has the ability to significantly reduce bimaxillary protrusions and thereby improve facial aesthetics.