Camouflage treatment in adult skeletal Class III cases by extraction of two lower premolars / 대한치과교정학회지

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the dentoskeletal and soft tissue profile changes after extraction of two lower first or second premolars in "borderline" adult skeletal Class III cases. METHODS: Twenty-eight patients with "borderline" skeletal Class III malocclusion were studied. All of them were treated by extraction of two lower first or second premolars. Lateral cephalometric radiographs taken at the start and end of treatment were analysed. Twenty-five cephalometric variables were calculated and paired t-tests were performed. RESULTS: After treatment, no significant changes were noted in the skeletal parameters (p > or = 0.05). Regarding the dental parameters, the L1-MP angle decreased by 8.1degrees, the U1-L1 angle increased by 7.7degrees (p < 0.01), the overjet distance increased by 5.7 mm (p < 0.01), the L1-NB angle decreased by 7.3degrees and the L1-NB distance decreased by 4.8 mm (p < 0.01). The soft tissue parameters of Li-E, Li-H and Li-RL2 distance decreased by 3.2 mm, 3.4 mm and 4.1 mm respectively (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Orthodontic camouflage treatment by extraction of two lower first or second premolars provides a viable treatment alternative for "borderline" skeletal Class III cases to achieve a good occlusal relationship.