Does Maxillary Advancement Influence the Nasolabial Angle?

Abstract

PURPOSE\nTo know whether there is a correlation between maxillary advancement and the nasolabial angle change allows to preoperatively predict the precise affect a planned maxillary advancement will have over the nasolabial angle. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between the maxillary advancement and the nasolabial angle.\n\n\nMETHODS\nThe study is a retrospective analysis of 32 patients (12 males and 20 females, mean age 21\u200a±\u200a3.4\u200ayears) who underwent a maxillary advancement. Lateral cephalometric radiographs were taken preoperatively and postoperatively. The lateral cephalograms were traced. Measurements were evaluated statistically using paired sample t-test and Pearson s correlation test.\n\n\nRESULTS\nThe mean maxillary advancement was 4.81\u200a±\u200a3.01\u200amm with a mean vertical change of -0.28\u200a±\u200a2.80\u200amm. The nasolabial angle decreased by a mean of 3.78\u200a±\u200a9.64° with statistical significance of P\u200a=\u200a0.03 using a paired sample t-test, however using Pearson s correlation test, no direct correlation between maxillary advancement and the nasolabial angle was found. Furthermore, the study contains a review of the literature from the last 25 years, which shows that in most studies there was no correlation and in some patients even opposite results.\n\n\nCONCLUSION\nMaxillary advancement might influence the nasolabial angle; however, preoperatively predicting the influence a maxillary advancement will have over the nasolabial angle is difficult, and further studies need to be conducted.