Soft Tissue Response to Upper Incisor Retraction in Boys

Abstract

The paper describes the lip morphology and treatment changes in two groups of boys with slight (3–4 mm) and marked (8–10 mm) overjets. The results show that the initial morphological differences are greatest in the lower lip and these are maintained even after treatment. In individuals with a small overjet, the upper lip response is more closely related to the degree of incisor retraction than in individuals with marked overjet. Correction of the great overjets results in approximately similar upper and lower lip retraction. The results generally show great variability, and thus indicate that prediction of soft tissue changes in an individual case is difficult.