Evaluation of Nasal Tip Rotation and Projection Following Facemask Therapy

Purpose: This study conducted retrospectively aims to assess the impact of facemask therapy on nasal tip projection and rotation in prepubertal patients with Class III malocclusion associated by maxillary deficiency. Materials and Methods: The retrospective study included 32 patients (21 males, 12 females) with an average age of 8.34 ± 0.83, who received facemask therapy at Aydın Adnan Menderes University’s Department of Orthodontics. Cephalometric radiographs were obtained pretreatment (T0) and 3 months posttreatment (T1). Nasal tip projection analysis was by the Goode method, while the rotation of the nasal tip was assessed through nasolabial angle measurements. Results: An increase that is statistically meaningful in nasal height and length was observed post-treatment (p < 0.001), whereas no meaningful difference was observed in the nasolabial angle and Goode ratio (p > 0.05). In both females and males, nasal height and length measurements at T1 were elevated compared to the values measured at T0 (p = 0.002, p = 0.001). Based on the study’s correlation analysis findings, strong positive correlations were identified between nasal length at T0 and the Goode ratio at T0 (r=0.613, p<0.001), and among nasal height at T1 and the Goode ratio at T1 (r=0.721, p<0.001). Conclusion: The outcomes of our study demonstrate that facemask therapy supports some morphological changes in the nasal structure but has limited effects on soft tissue aesthetics. Key words: Facemask, Goode method, Nasolabial angle