Perubahan profil jaringan lunak bibir sebelum dan setelah perawatan ekspansi lengkung gigi menggunakan alat ortodonti lepasanChanges of the lip soft tissue profile before and after dental arch expansion treatment using removable orthodontic appliances

Abstract

Introduction: The use of removable orthodontic appliances with an expansion screw aims to obtain space in tooth crowding by expanding the dental arch. The tooth movement can affect one of the facial aesthetic components, which is the soft tissue profile. This study was aimed to analyse the changes of the lip soft tissue profile before and after dental arch expansion treatment using removable orthodontic appliances. Methods: Descriptive analytic research with purposive sampling method was conducted on orthodontic patients of the Integrated Installation of Universitas Padjadjaran Dental Hospital treated using removable acrylic appliances with maxillary and mandibular lateral expansion screws. Four subjects met the inclusion criteria, namely ten activations every week within three months. The subjects were subjected to lateral facial photographs in standard positions before and after activation. Measurements were performed using a digital calliper from the upper lip (Ls) to the E-line (NsPog) and the lower lip (Li) to the E-line (Ns-Pog), while a digital protractor was used to measure the nasolabial angle (Ns-SnLs). Results: The mean value of change in the distance of the upper lip to the E-line was 0.59 mm; the lower lip to the E-line was 0.63 mm; the nasolabial angle was -2.03o. This study showed a change in the position of the lips to be more anterior after ten times activation of the maxillary and mandibular lateral expansion screws. Conclusions: There is a difference in the lip soft tissue profile before and after orthodontic treatment, which is the change of the upper and lower lips position, which becomes more anterior. There is found no difference in the nasolabial angle after ten times activation of the lateral expansion screw on removable orthodontic appliances.