SOFT TISSUE CHANGES AFTER ORTHODONTIC TREATMENT

There was a time when the pioneers of orthodontics believed that correction of the underlying skeletal discrepancies would yield an esthetic and favorable profile. It was soon understood that the soft tissue drape covering the underlying skeletal bases is the most important aspect that should be considered, and achieving a harmonious skeletal and dental balance did not always lead to an overall balance of the face. Today, the soft tissue parameters define and dictate the orthodontic diagnosis and treatment planning. Orthodontists have realized that a harmonious balance needs to exist between the nose, the lips, and the chin. Hence, the difference between a successful and an unsuccessful treatment lies in the soft tissues of the patients. Various authors have defined their own parameters to help orthodontists understand this important consideration. This library dissertation is an attempt to compile and explain the basics of soft tissue considerations in the field of orthodontic diagnosis and treatment planning.