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. 2022 Jun 26;22(1):257.
doi: 10.1186/s12903-022-02280-5.

Profiles of facial soft tissue changes during and after orthodontic treatment in female adults

Jie Gao #  1 , Xian Wang #  1 , Zaixiu Qin #  2 , Hao Zhang  1 , Donghui Guo  1 , Yuerong Xu  3 , Zuolin Jin  4
Affiliations

Profiles of facial soft tissue changes during and after orthodontic treatment in female adults

Jie Gao et al. BMC Oral Health. .

Abstract

Background: Some female adults who received orthodontic treatment often complain about thinner faces, protruding cheekbones and sunken temples, even at the beginning of treatment. The present research aimed to explore facial soft tissue changes during and after orthodontic treatment, as well as the related factors affecting facial soft tissue changes.

Methods: This study used 3dMD stereo photography technology to compare facial soft tissue changes among adult females who received orthodontics. A total of 52 adult females (24 teeth extraction, 28 non-teeth extraction cases) were included and potential correlations between related factors (facial morphology features, the change of occlusal height and dental arch width) were evaluated during different treatment periods.

Results: Overall, 3D-negative soft tissue changes of the buccal region moderately correlated with distances of nasion-menton and subnasale-menton (both rs = 0.30, P < 0.05) as well as the ratio of subnasale-menton/right gonion-left gonion (rs = 0.33, P < 0.05) and nasion-menton/right zygomatic point-left zygomatic point (rs = 0.30, P < 0.05). Among the 3D angle measurements, the right chelion-median upper lip point-left chelion angle was found to have a moderate correlation with 3D negative changes of the upper cheilion region (rs = 0.31, P < 0.01). Analysis of occlusal height changes revealed that an increase in the posterior facial height (nasion-gonial distance) may be a risk factor for negative changes in the zygomatic arch area. In addition, a moderate positive correlation between the maxillary first molar width changes and 3D-negative changes of the lower cheek region was found (rs = 0.41, P < 0.05).

Conclusions: After orthodontic treatment, adult females with wide and short faces may be prone to negative soft tissue changes. Changes of posterior facial height and arch width between the first molars were also risk factors for negative changes of facial soft tissues. Extraction is not a major factor producing facial soft tissue changes.

Keywords: 3dMD stereo photography; Extraction; Facial aesthetics; Facial soft tissue; Non-extraction; Orthodontic treatment.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have no competing interests to declare.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Illustrations of fix points for 3D measurements of the facial morphology. A soft tissue markers, B face regions for separate analysis
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Cephalometric and digital maxillary model illustrations. A cephalometric marker points, B marker points and measurement items of the maxillary digital model
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Correlation analysis of adult female facial morphology and 3D facial soft tissue changes after orthodontic treatment. A Correlation between the R9 and N'-Me' distance; B Correlation between the R9 and Sn'-Me' distance; C Correlation between the R7 and RtCh-ULPm-LtCh angle; D Correlation between the R9 and N'-Me'/RtZy-LtZy ratio; E Correlation between the R9 and Sn'-Me'/RtGo'-LtGo' ratio. Ch, cheilion; Go', soft-tissue gonion; Lt, left; Me', soft-tissue menton; N', soft-tissue nasion; R7, upper cheilion region; R9, buccal region; Sn', subnasale; ULPm, upper lip point midline; Zy, zygomatic point
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Scheme of soft tissue change parameters between baseline and T4 after orthodontic treatments. Ch, cheilion; Go', soft-tissue gonion; N', soft-tissue nasion; R7, upper cheilion region; R9, buccal region; T4, at the end of treatment; Sn', subnasale; ULP, upper lip point; Zy, zygomatic point
Fig. 5
Fig. 5
Correlation analysis between adult female dental arch width and 3D facial soft tissue changes after orthodontic treatment. R9, buccal region
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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