Changes in Maxillary Incisor Inclination Before and After Orthodontic Treatment Across Vertical Skeletal Patterns.

Area of Science:

• Orthodontics
• Cephalometrics
• Facial Growth Analysis

Background:

• Adult orthodontic treatment aims to correct malocclusions while considering facial aesthetics.
• Vertical facial patterns significantly influence treatment planning and outcomes.
• Maxillary incisor inclination is a crucial factor in smile esthetics and overall facial harmony.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate changes in maxillary incisor inclination post-orthodontic treatment in adults with varying vertical facial patterns.
• To assess the relationship between incisor inclination and facial/growth axes.
• To compare these relationships across normodivergent, hypodivergent, and hyperdivergent facial types.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of 144 adult patients (pre- and post-treatment cephalograms and photographs).
• Classification into normodivergent, hypodivergent, and hyperdivergent groups based on mandibular plane angle (MP/SN).
• Cephalometric measurements of incisor inclination and facial/growth axes; clinical crown angulation (CCA) from photographs.

Main Results:

• No significant changes in maxillary incisor inclination were observed across all groups post-treatment.
• Significant skeletal changes occurred in the hypodivergent group (MP/SN, IMPA).
• Correlations between clinical crown angulation and skeletal axes were stronger in normodivergent/hypodivergent patients than hyperdivergent ones.

Conclusions:

• Maxillary incisor inclination stability suggests controlled torque mechanics during orthodontic treatment.
• Skeletal axes are valuable for guiding incisor positioning in normo- and hypodivergent patients.
• Soft tissue and smile analysis are paramount for determining final incisor inclination in hyperdivergent patients.