The effect of Clark Twin Block on soft tissue profile of Class II patients

Together with the increase of orthodontic treatment needs the use of functional apparatus has been increased. Furthermore, different studies has been done on skeletal and dental changes after the use of these functional appliances, but few studies discussed soft tissue changes in the field. So, this study was carried out in order to evaluate soft tissue changes following the use of Twin Block functional appliance. Methods & Materials: This study was quazi experimental done on 13 patients (7 girls and 6 boys) with 7 years and 7 months to 12 years and 6 months of age. All patients were Cl II Div.1 malocclusion, Iranian, Muslim, resident of Tehran and with no previous orthodontic treatment and tooth extraction. The period of treatment with the apparatus varied between 7 to 17 months. The studied angular variables were nasolabial, nasofacial, facial convexity, H angle, mentocervical, nasomental and mentolabial. The liner variables were lower and upper lip to E – line, upper and lower lip thickness, prominence and length, upper and lower face height. All variables were compared before and after the use of Twin Block and recorded in a questionnaire and were analyzed by T - test. The study showed that nasolabial, nasofacial, Lower lip to E line and Upper lip length decreased slightly with the use of apparatus, while facial convexity, H angle, upper lip prominence, upper lip thickness and upper lip to E line decreased significantly. As well as, mentocervical, upper lip thickness, lower lip prominence and soft tissue lower face height increased slightly and nasomental, mentolabial, soft tissue upper face height and lower lip length increased significantly. Following the treatment with Twin Block, the lower face soft tissue moved anteriorly leading to decrease in profile convexity. The upper and lower face soft tissue height increases and their ratio improved. The upper and lower lip thickness reduced, but upper lip length did not change and lower lip length increased after the treatment. The space between upper and lower lip edge to E – line moved to a normal range and labiomental fold became wider.