Craniofacial morphology and asymmetry were compared before, during, and after puberty within and between patients with unilateral complete cleft lip and palate (UCCLP) and a non-cleft group. In the UCCLP group, the posterior cranial base and total cranial base were significantly shorter at all skeletal periods, the maxilla was significantly retruded and posteriorly rotated, and the mandible was significantly smaller and inferoposteriorly rotated. The angle between the nasal and mandibular plane and lower anterior facial height were significantly higher, and upper posterior facial height and total posterior height were significantly lower, in the UCCLP group. Except for an increase in the nasal cavity, no significant differences were detected in facial width. For all measurements, asymmetry on the horizontal plane was more significant than that on the vertical plane. Asymmetries in the UCCLP group were mostly detected during puberty. The UCCLP group had no distinctive mandibular asymmetry, as compared with the Class I group. In UCCLP patients, the cranial base, maxilla, and mandible were affected on the sagittal plane during all growth periods. However, horizontal asymmetries were mostly detected before and during puberty. Vertical asymmetries were less severe, and there was no distinctive mandibular asymmetry as compared with the Class I group. (J Oral Sci 56, 165-172, 2014)

The aim of this study was to examine the dentofacial changes in Class III patients treated with fixed appliances subsequent to rapid maxillary expansion (RME) and facemask therapy. The material consisted of the cephalograms and hand-wrist films of 14 (9 girls, 5 boys) skeletal Class III and 15 (10 girls, 5 boys) untreated subjects obtained at the beginning of treatment/observation (T₁), immediately after orthopaedic therapy (T₂), and at the end of the observation period (T₃). The mean pre-treatment/control ages were approximately 11.5 years and the observation period was 3 years (T₂–T₁: 1 year, T₃–T₂: 2 years). The cephalometric films were analysed according to the structural superimposition method of Björk. All tracings were double-digitized and the measurements were calculated by a computer program. Intragroup changes and intergroup differences were statistically analysed. Forward movement of the maxilla (P < 0.01), backward movement and rotation of the mandible, an increase in the ANB angle (P < 0.001), lower face height and overjet (P < 0.001), a decrease of overbite, and an improvement in the sagittal lip relationship (P < 0.01) presented significant intergroup differences between T₂ and T₁. During the second phase of treatment (T₃–T₂), although not statistically significant, forward movement of the maxilla was less than in the control subjects. Overall changes during the observation period (T₃–T₁) revealed that correction was mainly due to favourable changes in the mandibular and dentoalveolar components of the discrepancy, while these in maxillary position were not different from the control group. The soft tissue profile improved significantly (P < 0.001) in the treatment group. Comparison with the Class I controls at the end of the observation period confirmed that some Class III characteristics still remained in the treated patients.

The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the soft tissue effects of chincup (CC), chincup plus bite plate (CC+P), and reverse headgear (RHg) therapies with each other and with an untreated control group (C). The material consisted of lateral cephalometric and hand-wrist films of 59 Class III cases and 20 nontreated control subjects. Thirty-one cases were treated with CC, 14 with CC+P, and 14 with RHg, and Class I relation was achieved. The mean pretreatment ages were approximately 11 years and the observation period was one year. The cephalometric films were analyzed according to the structural superimposition method of Björk. All tracings were double digitized, and the measurements were calculated by a computer program (PORDIOS). Treatment and control changes within the groups and the differences between the groups were analyzed statistically. Forward positioning of the maxilla was significant in the RHg group, whereas the mandible was positioned backward significantly in all the treatment groups. Posterior rotation of the mandible was significant in the CC+P and RHg groups. The overjet increased and the overbite decreased significantly in all the treatment groups. Forward movement of soft tissue A and upper lip was significant in all groups, whereas more pronounced in the CC+P group. The soft tissue changes in the mandibular region were significant in the CC and CC+P groups, whereas in the maxillary region more significant and similar improvements were obtained by CC+P and RHg treatments. Longterm studies are required to confirm the stability of these changes.

Aims: This study is the first of its kind in the United Arab Emirates, where these herbal plant extracts are commonly incorporated into toothpaste. The present study compares two herbal toothpastes (Meswak extract and tea tree oil [TTO]) and analyses their efficiency in reducing plaque accumulation. Materials and Methods: A total of 25 patients were examined for plaque and assigned a plaque score. They were then randomly assigned to use either Meswak-based toothpaste or TTO-based toothpaste. After 24 h, a new plaque score was recorded, and the patients used their regular brand for 2 weeks. The patients were then instructed to use the second of the two study toothpastes for 24 h, and a third set of plaque scores was obtained. Statistical data were analyzed using the SPSS software with a significance of P < 0.05 and Kruskal–Wallis test. Results: Analysis of plaque scores showed a reduction in plaque index after using either of the two herbal-based toothpastes; however, when compared with TTO, Meswak-based toothpaste resulted in significantly less plaque. Conclusions: Brushing with Meswak-based toothpaste gave a significant drop in plaque score when compared with TTO-based paste.

Objective: To determine the mean soft tissue facial profile for Persian adults as determined by the Holdaway analysis. Materials and Methods: Lateral cephalometric radiographs for 62 Persian adults with normal occlusion were used. Results: Persian adults have the same values of Holdaway soft tissue norms except for the skeletal profile convexity, H angle, basic upper lip thickness, and soft tissue chin thickness, which were increased in Persians in relation to Holdaway norms. When comparing men with women, the nose prominence (P < .001), basic upper lip thickness (P < .001), upper lip thickness (P < .001), inferior sulcus to H line (P < .001), and soft tissue chin thickness (P < .01) were significantly increased in Persian men compared with Persian women. Conclusions: Persian adults differ from Holdaway's soft tissue norms in an increased skeletal profile convexity, H angle, basic upper lip thickness, and soft tissue chin thickness. These are recommended for use when formulating a treatment plan for this ethnic group.