Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate 3 dimensionally the influence of maxillary expansion and protraction on the facial soft tissue profile in unilateral cleft lip and palate patients with skeletal Class III malocclusion.
Materials and Methods: This retrospective study included 2 groups. The first treatment group included randomly selected CBCT scans of 15 unilateral cleft lip and palate patients (8 males and 7 females, mean age 8.3±1 years) with skeletal Class III treated with Hyrax expander for rapid expansion and face mask appliance for maxillary protraction. The CBCT scans for each patient were available before starting the treatment (T1) and after a positive overjet was achieved (T2). The soft tissue profile changes in the treatment group were compared with a closely matched second control group with skeletal Class I relation (7 males and 8 females, mean age of 8.5± 1.1 years).
Results: Upper lip protrusion, H angle, prominence of the nose and soft tissue facial height showed statistically significant increase in the first than the second group (P < 0.001). Lower lip protrusion, angle of facial convexity, nasolabial angle and soft tissue chin prominence showed statistically significant decrease in the first than the second group (P < 0.001).
Conclusions: Unilateral cleft lip and palate patients with skeletal Class III malocclusion showed significant improvement in the facial soft tissue profile when treated with hyrax expander and face mask.