A Comparative Evaluation of Changes in Soft Tissues After Single-Jaw Surgery and Bimaxillary Surgery in Skeletal Class III Patients.

Aims And Objectives: The aim of this study was to compare cephalograms for the hard and soft tissue changes observed in skeletal Class III patients of Indian origin who had undergone either single-jaw mandibular setback (BSSO) or bimaxillary surgery (Le Fort I advancement + BSSO setback) and also to derive a correlation between the changes brought about in the soft tissues by the surgical alteration in hard tissue.

Materials And Methods: The study included records comprising 18 treated skeletal Class III patients, who were divided into two groups based on the surgical procedures advocated: Group I: single-jaw procedure comprised of only mandibular set back, Group II: bimaxillary surgery. Presurgical and post-treatment cephalograms were calibrated and traced using Ilexis FACAD AB-2014 Version 3.8.0.0 software and analyzed with COGS hard tissue analysis and soft tissue analysis. All values for the hard tissue and soft tissue measurements were compared with the norms prescribed for the Indian population.

Results: Upper lip changes were evident in both groups but greater significance was observed in bi-jaw group. Single-jaw patients showed positive correlation for hard to soft tissue mandibular position. Bi-jaw surgical cases exhibited positive correlations between changes Wits variable to soft tissue convexity as well as mandibular position.

Conclusion: The soft tissues changes between Class III patients treated by single-jaw surgery and those treated by bimaxillary surgery when compared revealed that significant differences were observed only in relation to certain measurements such as facial convexity, maxillary prognathism, and upper lip protrusion.