Changes in facial profile on treatment with extraction of first premolars

Purpose: This retrospective study aimed at determining the changes in facial profile of patients undergoing first four premolar extraction treatment through cephalometry as determined by Holdaway Analysis and compare the soft tissue norms with findings in Indian adults. Study design: A retrospective cephalometric study Material and Methods: Pre-and Post-extraction treatment lateral cephalograms of 30 patients selected from Department of Orthodontics, KVG Dental College, Sullia, were evaluated. All the patients included in the study underwent first four premolar extraction treatment. Various soft tissue measurements of pre and post extraction lateral cephalogram were compared to the Holdaway soft-tissue norms of Indian adults. Results: On comparing the pretreatment values to that of post treatment, there was decrease in upper lip curvature, skeletal convexity at point A and upper sulcus depth, reduction in H lingle angle and upper lip strain whereas nose tip to H line, lower sulcus depth and soft tissue thickness increased. Our study showed there is an effect of first premolar extraction on facial profile.