The evaluation of soft and hard tissue changes in class iii patients after different face mask protocols in early or late period using cephalometric and three-dimensional scanning

Face mask (FM), has been used in the treatment of Class III patients with maxillary retrusion or maxillary retrusion/mandibular protrusion. It is often supplemented by rapid maxillary expansion (RME). There is a lack of consensus regarding the degree of success of FM with or without maxillary expansion modalities applied during the early or late puberty stages. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of FM therapy with or without rapid maxillary expansion at early and late stages of puberty on soft and hard tissue. Skeletally class III sixty six children were divided in two groups as early and late treatment preiods according their skeletal development. Each groups divided three subgroups as FM, FM+RME and control. Lateral cephalometric radiographs (Planmeca OY, Helsinki, Finland) and three dimensional facial photographs (3dMD, Atlanta, Ga, USA) were taken before treatment (T1) and after end of FM therapy (T2). Comparison between T1 and T2 values showed that, significantly changes were observed from the measurements of hard tissues on sagittal and vertical directions. Anterior displacement of the maxillary bone and posterior rotation of the mandible occurred in all treatment groups. Hard and soft tissue profile convexity was significantly improved. Soft tissue changes were observed sagittal, vertical and horizontal directions. There was no significant difference between early period and late period treatment groups regarding the hard and soft tissue parameters. It was concluded that, FM with or without RME therapy effective treatment options on hard and soft tissue profile in both prepubertal and pubertal period.