Shorter Lower Facial Height Research Articles

Upper Lip Horizontal Line: Characteristics of a Dynamic Facial Line.

Background: Upper lip appearance received major attention with the introduction of diverse treatment modalities, including lip augmentation, rhinoplasty surgery, and dental treatment designed to support the upper lip. Our objectives were to define the prevalence and characteristics of the upper lip horizontal line (ULHL), which is a dynamic line appearing during a smile, in relation to gender, malocclusions, aging, and facial morphology. Methods: First, the prevalence and gender distribution of ULHL was examined from standardized en-face imaging at full smile of 643 randomly selected patients. Second, cephalometric and dental cast model analyses were made for 97 consecutive patients divided into three age groups. Results: ULHL appears in 13.8% of the population examined, and prevailed significantly more in females (78%). The prevalence of ULHL was not related to age nor to malocclusion. Patients presenting ULHL showed shorter upper lip and deeper lip sulcus. The skeletal pattern showed longer mid-face, shorter lower facial height and greater prevalence of a gummy smile. Conclusions: Female patients with short upper lip, concavity of the upper lip, and gummy smile are more likely to exhibit ULHL. The ULHL is not age-related and can be identified in children and young adults. Therefore, it should be considered when selecting diverse treatment modalities involving the upper lip.

3D soft-tissue evaluation of a Class III treatment with rapid maxillary expander and face mask in pre-pubertal phase-A retrospective cohort study.

The aim of this prospective controlled study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the rapid maxillary expander (RME) and face mask treatment using three-dimensional soft-tissue facial characteristics of pre-pubertal Class III children. CLIII and non-CLIII groups, both of 32 white children aged 6-8years participated. Facial surface images were obtained using stereophotogrammetry at T0 and T1 and were superimposed. Landmark-based and surface-based facial parameters were measured, and group differences were quantified (ANOVA; P≥.05). CLIII children had less mid-face prominence, shorter lower facial height and protruded mandible when compared to non-CLIII children at T0. At T1, the differences between the groups were not statistically significant, indicating successful correction. After the RME/face mask treatment, the n-sn and sn-pg distances increased by 1.5mm and 2.2mm, respectively. The distance from sn to the n-pg line increased by 1mm, the n-sn-pg angle decreased by almost 2°. Pogonion moved downward by 2.5mm and posteriorly by 3mm. The surface-based measurements between the groups after treatment showed anterior movement in the mid-face region and the upper lip region. The lower lip and chin region moved posteriorly in the CLIII group and anteriorly in the non-CLIII group. After RME/face mask treatment, the lower facial height increased, the maxilla moved anteriorly, and the mandible moved posteriorly. Consequently, CLIII children reached the respective values of the non-CLIII children, indicating a harmonious facial appearance of CLIII children. The results have been obtained using non-invasive technique.

Deep bite correction with an anterior bite plate in a growing patient

Background: Deep bites represent one of the most difficult cases in orthodontic treatment. In growing patients, strategies for deep bite correction include extrusion of posterior teeth and intrusion of incisors, which can be achieved using anterior bite plates. This case report presents the treatment of a deep bite in a growing patient using an anterior bite plate. Case Report: A 13-year-old female presented with a convex profile, short lower facial height, a Class II skeletal relationship, a deep bite (6 mm overbite), a 6 mm overjet, and severe crowding on both arches. The patient was treated with a removable anterior bite plate in conjunction with a fixed appliance. A normal overbite (2 mm) was achieved, severe crowding was corrected on both arches, the lower facial height was increased, the interincisal angle remained favorable, the mandibular incisors were well positioned in the basal bone, and the smile esthetics improved. Conclusion: The use of an anterior bite plate in combination with fixed appliances is effective in treating deep bites in a growing patient.

Effect of short one-third lower face toward mastication performance in Deutero Malay

The one-third lower face height belongs to ideal proportion, ratio 1:1:1, of vertical face height. The one-third lower face height could be influenced by mastication. The one-third lower face height that shorter than normal ratio is generally followed by deep bite which may lead to temporomandibular disfunction even so eustachian tube disfunction, this condition may interfere mastication function, which can be measured by mastication performance. The research objective was to determine the effects of short lower face height to the mastication performance based on overbite. The research method was a cross-sectional study with epidemiology survey type. Research subjects 12-15 years old junior high school with Deutero Melayu Sub races in Bandung. Sampling technique used multistage random sampling by determining the size of the sample based on potluck sample and gained 24 children (group 1) with the normal ratio of vertical face height and 27 children with short lower facial height which were 11 children overbite normal (group 2) and 16 children deep bite (group 3). Mastication performance by 20 times chewing artificial test food then followed by sieving test. Mastication performance value represented by the median particle size (MPS) and the distribution of the particle distribution (b). The results of average MPS and b between group 1, 2 and 3 used statistical analysis MPS with ANOVA test which Fhit=5.56 and pvalue=0.0075, b which Fhit=3.41 and pvalue=0.0430 showed significant differences. Continued with group T test MPS (value = 0.0925) dan b (value = 0.2076) between group 1 and 2 showed a non significant differences. While between group 1 and 3 showed a highly significant differences in MPS (value = 0.0037 and  = 0,01) and a significant differences in b (value = 0.0141 and  = 0,05). Conclusions of this study were children with short lower face height and normal overbite did not decrease the mastication performance while children with deep bite decrease the mastication performance.