The purpose of this study was to investigate the changes of the soft tissue profile in the nose following Le Fort I osteotomy in skeletal Class III patients.
The subjects were 30 females who underwent twojaw surgery to correct anterior reversed occlusion, and who were classified into three groups according to the directions of surgical displacement of the maxilla.
1. Advancement-Impaction group (n=11)
2. Advancement group (n=12)
3. Advancement-Downgraft group (n=7)
For each patient, lateral cephalograms, taken preoperatively and postoperatively, were traced and superimposed, and linear and angular measurements were obtained. And, alinasal width was measured on frontal facial photographs taken preoperatively and postoperatively. These data from the three groups were compared.
The results were as follows:
1. In the Advancement-Impaction group, Pronasale and Subnasale were displaced in the upward and forward direction after Le Fort I osteotomy.
2. In the Advancement group, Pronasale and Subnasale were displaced in the forward direction after surgery.
3. In the Advancement-Downgraft group, Pronasale was displaced in the forward direction, and Subnasale was displaced in the downward direction.
4. Alinasal width was increased in the three groups with advancement of the maxilla.
In conclusion, there were differences in the postoperative changes of the nose, with different movement of the maxilla.