Facial soft tissue changes and volumetric analysis of upper airways in patients undergoing surgically assisted rapid maxillary expansion using a transpalatal distractor.

OBJECTIVE: To verify changes in facial soft tissue using the RadiANT-DICOM-viewer and Dolphin Imaging software, through linear measurements of tomographic points in a 3D reconstruction of the face and volumetric evaluation with three-dimensional measurements of the upper airways of patients with transverse maxillary discrepancy undergoing Surgically Assisted Rapid Maxillary Expansion (SARME). METHODS: Retrospective, transverse, and descriptive study, through the analysis of computed tomography scans of the face of patients with transverse maxillary discrepancy, treated from July 2019 to December 2022. The sample consisted of 15 patients of both sexes, aged 21-42 years old, who underwent surgically assisted rapid maxillary expansion using the transpalatal distractor. Analysis was performed through linear, angular, and three-dimensional measurements in millimeters, in the preoperative and late four-month postoperative period, in frontal 3D tomographic images of the face, in the region of the width of the nose and alar base and also angular measurement in the lateral tomography for the angle nasolabial and upper airways of rhinopharynx, oropharynx and hypopharynx. RESULTS: There was an increase in nasal width with an average of 1.3467mm and an increase in the alar base with an average of 1.7333mm. A significant difference was found in the pre- and postoperative assessments of the measurements of nasal width, alar base and nasolabial angle, as well as the upper airways in all their extension. The results favour a better understanding of the professional and the patient regarding the diagnosis and management of patients with transverse maxillary width discrepancies. CONCLUSION: Although our study shows an increase in soft tissues after SARME, no aesthetic changes are observed clinically, and all patients report significant respiratory improvement. SARME may therefore contribute to the improvement of professionals working in the field of oral and maxillofacial surgery and orthodontics. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level 4.

Facial soft tissue changes and volumetric analysis of upper airways in patients undergoing surgically assisted rapid maxillary expansion using a transpalatal distractor

Abstract Objective To verify changes in facial soft tissue using the RadiANT-DICOM-viewer and Dolphin Imaging software, through linear measurements of tomographic points in a 3D reconstruction of the face and volumetric evaluation with three-dimensional measurements of the upper airways of patients with transverse maxillary discrepancy undergoing Surgically Assisted Rapid Maxillary Expansion (SARME). Methods Retrospective, transverse, and descriptive study, through the analysis of computed tomography scans of the face of patients with transverse maxillary discrepancy, treated from July 2019 to December 2022. The sample consisted of 15 patients of both sexes, aged 21-42 years old, who underwent surgically assisted rapid maxillary expansion using the transpalatal distractor. Analysis was performed through linear, angular, and three-dimensional measurements in millimeters, in the preoperative and late four-month postoperative period, in frontal 3D tomographic images of the face, in the region of the width of the nose and alar base and also angular measurement in the lateral tomography for the angle nasolabial and upper airways of rhinopharynx, oropharynx and hypopharynx. Results There was an increase in nasal width with an average of 1.3467 mm and an increase in the alar base with an average of 1.7333 mm. A significant difference was found in the pre- and postoperative assessments of the measurements of nasal width, alar base and nasolabial angle, as well as the upper airways in all their extension. The results favour a better understanding of the professional and the patient regarding the diagnosis and management of patients with transverse maxillary width discrepancies. Conclusion Although our study shows an increase in soft tissues after SARME, no aesthetic changes are observed clinically, and all patients report significant respiratory improvement. SARME may therefore contribute to the improvement of professionals working in the field of oral and maxillofacial surgery and orthodontics. Level of evidence: Level 4.

Three-dimensional image study of accelerated maxillary expansion in oral breathing kids

Abstract Objective: To evaluate, by a three-dimensional study, the volumetric and integumentary effects of rapid maxillary expansion on the nose, in mouth breathing kids with maxillary hypoplasia, in the short term, assessing the possible interference of gender, growth and age on the results achieved. Methods: 120 mouth breathing patients with maxilla hypoplasia were divided into an Experimental Group treated by rapid maxillary expansion (n = 104, 62 males and 42 females, mean age 10.1 years, SD = 2.10, ranging from 5.1 to 13.9 years); and Control Group, constituted by 16 patients (9 males and 7 females, mean age 9.3 years, SD = 2.1 years, ranging from 6.1 to 13.2 years). Patients in the experimental group underwent multislice computed tomography examinations at two different times: (T1) pre-expansion and (T2) post-expansion. The control group was submitted to the same tests at the same time intervals. Six soft tissue variables of the nose were studied, besides the volume and area of the nasal cavity, and the measurement and comparison of data between T1 and T2 were performed using the Dolphin Imaging 11.7 Premium software. Results: The experimental group showed significant mean increases in all soft tissue variables studied (p < 0.005), yet there were no significant changes in the control group. In the comparison between groups, only inclination of the nasal dorsum did not present any significant change. Conclusion: Rapid maxillary expansion may alter the nasal shape and physiology, by anatomical changes in the nose soft tissues, making it an important aid in the treatment of mouth breathing in childhood. Level of evidence: The soft tissues of the nose play an important role in nasal shape and physiology and facial esthetics, and since they are directly related to the nasal valves, they are fundamental for maintenance and stability of the nasal breathing pattern.

Three-dimensional image study of accelerated maxillary expansion in oral breathing kids.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate, by a three-dimensional study, the volumetric and integumentary effects of rapid maxillary expansion on the nose, in mouth breathing kids with maxillary hypoplasia, in the short term, assessing the possible interference of gender, growth and age on the results achieved. METHODS: 120 mouth breathing patients with maxilla hypoplasia were divided into an Experimental Group treated by rapid maxillary expansion (n = 104, 62 males and 42 females, mean age 10.1 years, SD = 2.10, ranging from 5.1 to 13.9 years); and Control Group, constituted by 16 patients (9 males and 7 females, mean age 9.3 years, SD = 2.1 years, ranging from 6.1 to 13.2 years). Patients in the experimental group underwent multislice computed tomography examinations at two different times: (T1) pre-expansion and (T2) post-expansion. The control group was submitted to the same tests at the same time intervals. Six soft tissue variables of the nose were studied, besides the volume and area of the nasal cavity, and the measurement and comparison of data between T1 and T2 were performed using the Dolphin Imaging 11.7 Premium software. RESULTS: The experimental group showed significant mean increases in all soft tissue variables studied (p < 0.005), yet there were no significant changes in the control group. In the comparison between groups, only inclination of the nasal dorsum did not present any significant change. CONCLUSION: Rapid maxillary expansion may alter the nasal shape and physiology, by anatomical changes in the nose soft tissues, making it an important aid in the treatment of mouth breathing in childhood. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: The soft tissues of the nose play an important role in nasal shape and physiology and facial esthetics, and since they are directly related to the nasal valves, they are fundamental for maintenance and stability of the nasal breathing pattern.

Comparative evaluation of soft tissue changes in Class I borderline patients treated with extraction and nonextraction modalities

Abstract Objective: To compare soft tissue changes in Class I borderline cases treated with extraction and nonextraction modalities. Methods: A parent sample of 150 patients with Class I dental and skeletal malocclusion (89 patients treated with premolar extraction and 61 patients without extraction) was randomly selected and subjected to discriminant analysis which identified the borderline sample of 44 patients (22 extraction and 22 nonextraction patients). Pretreatment and post-treatment cephalograms of the borderline subsample were analyzed using 22 soft tissue parameters. Results: Upper and lower lips were more retracted and thickness of the upper lip increased more in the borderline extraction cases (p < 0.01). The nasolabial angle became more obtuse and the interlabial gap was reduced in the borderline extraction cases (p < 0.01). Lower lip, interlabial gap and nasolabial angle showed no changes in the borderline nonextraction cases. Conclusion: The soft tissue parameters which can be used as guideline in decision making to choose either extraction or nonextraction in Class I borderline cases are upper and lower lip protrusion in relation to the E-plane and Sn-Pg' line, lower lip protrusion in relation to the true vertical line (TVL), upper lip thickness, nasolabial angle and interlabial gap.

RESUMO Objetivo: comparar as alterações sofridas nos tecidos moles em casos limítrofes de Classe I tratados com extrações e sem extrações. Métodos: uma amostra inicial de 150 pacientes com má oclusão esquelética e dentária de Classe I (89 pacientes tratados com extrações de pré-molares e 61 pacientes tratados sem extrações) foi aleatoriamente selecionada e submetida a uma análise discriminante, a qual permitiu selecionar uma amostra de 44 pacientes limítrofes (22 tratados com extrações e 22 tratados sem extrações). Telerradiografias obtidas antes e depois do tratamento dessa subamostra de pacientes limítrofes foram analisadas, utilizando-se 22 grandezas em tecidos moles. Resultados: nos casos limítrofes tratados com extrações, houve maior retração dos lábios superior e inferior e um maior aumento na espessura do lábio superior (p < 0,01); bem como o ângulo nasolabial tornou-se mais obtuso e o espaço interlabial sofreu redução (p < 0,01). Já nos casos limítrofes tratados sem extrações, o lábio inferior, o espaço interlabial e o ângulo nasolabial não apresentaram alterações significativas. Conclusão: as grandezas em tecidos moles que podem ajudar na tomada de decisão entre o tratamento com e sem extrações nos casos limítrofes de Classe I são: protrusão dos lábios superior e inferior em relação ao plano E e em relação à linha Sn-Pg', protrusão do lábio inferior em relação à linha vertical verdadeira (LVV), a espessura do lábio superior, o ângulo nasolabial e o espaço interlabial.

Avaliação cefalométrica dos resultados do aparelho de protração mandibular (APM) associado ao aparelho fixo em relação às estruturas dentoalveolares e tegumentares em pacientes portadores de má oclusão de Classe II, 1ª divisão / Cephalometric evaluation of the effects of a mandibular protraction appliance (MPA) combined with fixed orthodontic appliance on dentoalveolar and soft tissue structures of Class II, division 1 patients

OBJETIVO: avaliar cefalometricamente as alterações tegumentares e dentoalveolares em jovens brasileiros portadores de má oclusão de Classe II, 1ª divisão, tratados com APM associado à Ortodontia corretiva fixa. MÉTODOS: a amostra consistiu-se de 28 pacientes (16 do sexo feminino e 12 do sexo masculino), com idade média de 13,06 anos, tratados por um período médio de 14,43 meses. As alterações foram medidas em 56 cefalogramas específicos, obtidos das telerradiografias laterais feitas antes e após o tratamento, por dois examinadores calibrados para identificar as alterações tegumentares e dentoalveolares, utilizando-se grandezas cefalométricas lineares e angulares. As variáveis independentes (sexo, idade, padrão facial, tipo de APM, arco, técnica e tempo de tratamento) foram consideradas e analisadas com as grandezas cefalométricas lineares e angulares. As respostas ao tratamento foram analisadas e comparadas pelos testes Wilcoxon Signed Ranks e Mann-Whitney para um nível de significância de 5 por cento. RESULTADOS: os resultados mostraram mudanças dentoalveolares de grande magnitude, provocando, assim, mudanças favoráveis no tecido mole. Observou-se, ainda, que as variáveis idade, tipo de APM e técnica utilizada influenciaram no tratamento. CONCLUSÕES: o APM mostrou-se uma alternativa eficaz para o tratamento da má oclusão de Classe II, 1ª divisão, propiciando alterações dentoalveolares e tegumentares com resultados clínicos satisfatórios.

OBJECTIVE: To perform a cephalometric evaluation of dentoalveolar and soft tissue changes in Brazilian youths with Class II, division 1 malocclusion, treated with a mandibular protraction appliance (MPA) combined with fixed corrective orthodontics. METHODS: The sample consisted of 28 patients (16 females and 12 males) with a mean age of 13.06 years, treated for a mean period of 14.43 months. The changes were measured on 56 specific cephalometric analysis obtained from lateral cephalograms taken before and after treatment by two calibrated examiners in order to identify soft tissue and dentoalveolar changes using linear and angular cephalometric measures. The independent variables sex, age, facial pattern, MPA model, archwire, technique and treatment time were registered and analyzed using linear and angular cephalometric measures. Treatment responses were analyzed and compared by the Wilcoxon Signed Ranks and Mann-Whitney tests at a significance level of 5 percent. RESULTS: The results showed dentoalveolar changes of great magnitude, which caused positive changes in soft tissue. It was also noted that the variables age, MPA model and technique influenced the treatment. CONCLUSIONS: MPA proved to be an effective alternative in the treatment of Class II, division 1 malocclusion, inducing dentoalveolar and soft tissue changes with satisfactory clinical results.