Esthetic evaluation of the soft tissue profile : Part 2: Differences in evaluation among all orthodontic patients, those with maxillary protrusion and those with mandibular protrusion

Abstract

Orthodontists consider improvement of occlusion as the primary goal of orthodontic treatment. However, their patients put considerable emphasis on the improvement of esthetics. We gave questionnaires on the esthetic profile to patients receiving orthodontic treatment for maxillary protrusion and for mandibular protrusion. We found that for both groups the profile with normal occlusion was the most esthetic. This was followed by Angle class II-2, Angle class II-1, Angle class III, and Angle class I with bimaxillary protrusion in that order. The maxillary protrusion patients who had not yet received treatment considered Angle class II-1 and Angle class I with bimaxillary protrusion as being particularly unesthetic. This suggests the maxillary protrusion patients particularly dislike projection of the lips. The mandibular protrusion patients who had not yet received treatment considered the Angle class III profile as particularly unesthetic. Both the maxillary protrusion patients and the mandibular protrusion patients seemed to be very conscious of their profile. These results suggest that orthodontists should place considerable emphasis on communication with their patients when planning orthodontic treatment and setting up treatment goals.Shika Igaku(J Osaka Odontol Soc) 2003 Dec; 66(4): 314-318.