Integumental profile changes after surgical orthodontic correction of bimaxillary dentoalveolar protrusion in black...

An investigation was undertaken to evaluate the soft-tissue changes of the lips as a result of dentoalveolar setback procedures performed to reduce bimaxillary dentoalveolar protrusion in black patients. Lateral head films of 14 adult patients taken preoperatively and postoperatively were compared to evaluate soft- and hard-tissue changes. A stepwise regression analysis with hard-tissue changes, initial interlabial gap, lip thickness, and lip area as predictor variables was performed to assess their influence on the change in an associated soft-tissue point. Upper lip thickness and horizontal change in PR accounted for 60% of the horizontal variance in the upper lip at SLS, and horizontal change in PR accounted for 80% of the horizontal variance in LS. Lower lip area accounted only for 28% of the horizontal variance in the lower lip at LI. Vertical changes of the upper lip were small and could not be predicted. Vertical changes of the lower lip were small but predictable: IL and lip thickness accounted for 75% of the vertical variance in the lower lip at ILS, and ID accounted for 58% of the vertical variance in LI.