Changes in soft tissue profile after surgical correction of skeletal class III malocclusion.

Cephalometric analysis of the facial soft tissue profile after surgical correction of skeletal Class III malocclusion performed either in the ascending ramus or in the mandibular body in 33 patients showed a close correlation between the horizontal movements of the soft tissue landmarks and those of the underlying skeletal and dental structures. In the vertical direction, the changes were more variable. A comparison of these results with the soft tissue profile of normal persons indicated that a natural appearance could be achieved after correction of Class III malocclusion by combined surgery and orthodontic treatment.