Validity of computerized predictions of dentoskeletal and soft tissue profile changes after mandibular setback and maxillary impaction osteotomies.

The aim of the present investigation was to evaluate the validity of the predictions of a computerized cephalometric system (Dentofacial Planner) regarding dentoskeletal and soft tissue profile changes after mandibular setback and maxillary impaction osteotomies. Tracings of lateral cephalograms taken at the end of preoperative orthodontics (within 1 week before surgery) and approximately 1 year after the operation were digitized and entered into the Dentofacial Planner. For the mandibular setback group, the computerized predictions tended to place the mandible less posteriorly than the actual situation and to significantly underestimate the mandibular plane angle, the total anterior skeletal and soft tissue facial heights, the lower anterior skeletal facial height, and the upper lip height. In the maxillary impaction group, the prediction printouts significantly overestimated the total anterior soft tissue facial height, the upper lip height and the inclination and curvature of the lower lip and underestimated the soft tissue thickness in the regions of pogonion and point B.