Evaluation of factors influencing the change of vertical dimension of face after orthodontic treatment

Choi, Woo Jeong; Kim, Sang Cheol

Abstract

The change of the vertical dimension is of fundamental importance to the orthodontist. However, the choice between the two methods of treatment, extraction versus nonextraction, is not clear. It is not verified that the extraction method decreases vertical dimension, or nonextraction methods result in an increase in vertical dimension. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the changes of vertical dimension of face after the orthodontic treatment with standard edgewise technique, and to compare them in relation to facial types and bicuspid extraction. The subjects consisted of 165 orthodontic patients (77 of adolescents, 88 of adults), and was divided into vertical nonextraction (VN) group, vertical extraction (VE) group, horizontal nonextraction (HN) group, horizontal extraction (HE) group. Pre-and Post-treatment cephalograms were taken with standard method, traced, and digitized for each subject. The comparison of the measurements were statistically executed with Student's t-test. The results were as follows : 1. The facial height and molar height were increased after orthodontic treatment in the all groups. 2. No significant difference was found in the facial height change between the vertical and horizontal groups. 3. No significant difference was found in the facial height change between the extraction and nonextraction groups. 4. As the upper molars were extruded in adolescents group and lower molars were extruded in adults group, lower anterior facial height (LAFH) was increased. 5. None of the pretreatment variables correlates to the change of lower anterior facial height (LAFH).