Profile changes associated with different orthopedic treatment approaches in Class III malocclusions

The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the soft tissue effects of chincup (CC), chincup plus bite plate (CC+P), and reverse headgear (RHg) therapies with each other and with an untreated control group (C). The material consisted of lateral cephalometric and hand-wrist films of 59 Class III cases and 20 nontreated control subjects. Thirty-one cases were treated with CC, 14 with CC+P, and 14 with RHg, and Class I relation was achieved. The mean pretreatment ages were approximately 11 years and the observation period was one year. The cephalometric films were analyzed according to the structural superimposition method of Björk. All tracings were double digitized, and the measurements were calculated by a computer program (PORDIOS). Treatment and control changes within the groups and the differences between the groups were analyzed statistically. Forward positioning of the maxilla was significant in the RHg group, whereas the mandible was positioned backward significantly in all the treatment groups. Posterior rotation of the mandible was significant in the CC+P and RHg groups. The overjet increased and the overbite decreased significantly in all the treatment groups. Forward movement of soft tissue A and upper lip was significant in all groups, whereas more pronounced in the CC+P group. The soft tissue changes in the mandibular region were significant in the CC and CC+P groups, whereas in the maxillary region more significant and similar improvements were obtained by CC+P and RHg treatments. Longterm studies are required to confirm the stability of these changes.