The Effects of Tooth Extraction and Nonextraction on the Soft Tissue Profile in Patients With Class II Division 2 Malocclusion

Objective: To determine and compare change in the position and area of the upper and lower lips in patients with Class II division 2 malocclusion treated with and without tooth extraction. Materials and Method: This retrospective study included 40 female adolescent patients with Class II division 2 malocclusion who were divided into an extraction treatment group (group E, n=20) and a nonextraction treatment group (group NE, n=20). Pretreatment (T1) and posttreatment (T2) cephalometric variables, and upper-lower lip area (via digital planimeter) were measured on lateral cephalometric radiographs. For soft tissue profile area measurement the upper lip was divided into 2 parts (area 1 and 2), and the lower lip was divided into 3 parts (area 3, 4, and 5). The paired t test was used to determine intragroup differences, and the Student t test was used to determine intergroup differences. Results: Mean age in group E was 15.8 years vs 15.4 years in group NE. A wide range of individual responses to the treatment protocols were observed, and none of the skeletal or soft tissue changes differed significantly between the groups. Conclusion: Despite great variability in posttreatment soft tissue changes-including area measurements-the mean values for all measurements were similar in group E and group NE. Nonetheless, due to the observed variation in soft tissue response, we think that treatment planning should be carefully tailored to the needs of each patient.