Comparison of skeletal, dental and soft tissue profile changes before and after orthodontic treatment in patients with congenitally missing maxillary lateral incisors

Aim: The presented study aims to compare the skeletal, dental and soft tissue profile changes of patients with congenitally bilateral maxillary lateral incisor teeth missing before and after orthodontic treatment. Material and Methods: A total of 53 patients (mean age 16 ± 3.5 years) were divided into three groups as space-opening (n=18), space-closing (n=17), and control (n=18). On the lateral cephalograms before(T0) and after(T1) treatment, 14 angular and 13 linear measurements were performed. Statistical significance was considered as p<0.05, and one-way Anova and t-test and paired t-test and Wilcoxon test were used for quantitative independent and dependent data, respectively. Results: In the study groups, there was no significant difference in skeletal measurements (SNA, SNB, ANB, GoGn/SN) in T1 compared to T0. Significant increases were found in the study groups in U1/NA angle. Increases in U1/NA distance were significant in the space-opening group, but not in the space-closing group. A statistically significant increase was observed in the U1/SN angle from the space-opening group compared to the space-closing group. While a significant decrease in the interincisal angle was observed in the space-opening group, no significant difference was observed in the space-closing group. No significant difference was observed in nasolabial angle and upper lip length and thickness both between the groups and in T1 compared to T0. There was no significant difference in the Upper lip-E line and Lower lip-E line distance at T1 compared to T0 in the study groups. While the upper lip angle increased significantly in the space-opening group, it decreased significantly in the space-closing group. While there was no significant change in A'-GDÇ distance in the space-opening group, a significant increase was seen in the space-closing. Conclusions: While the methods of space-opening and -closing had no significant effect on the skeletal and soft tissue profiles, it was observed that both methods caused considerably different changes in teeth positions. It was concluded that both methods caused acceptable profile changes. Keywords: Congenitally maxillary lateral incisor missing; space opening; space closure; orthodontic treatment; lateral cephalometric