ABSTRACT

Generally, mandible is responsible of Class II Division 1 malocclusion. As a skeletal structure, symphysis forms the anterior region of the mandible. The wrong positioning of the mandible effects symphysis. The aim of this study is to find out the correlation between the soft tissues and this effect on symphysis. The material of this research is from Dicle University, Faculty of Dentistry, Department of Orthodontics. 33 pre-pubertal (mean age: 8.9), 39 pubertal (mean age: 12.9) and 32 postpubertal (mean age: 17.4) totally 104 girls with Class II Div. l malocclusion is considered. The age groups were classified according to Hassel and Farman's cervical vertebrae maturity index. On 104 X-ray radiography, the correlation of the 6 hard tissue parameters of the symphysis and 9 soft tissue parameters of the anterior region of the mandible was examined. As a result, at the growth period of Class II Div. 1 girls, mostly the mandible is responsible of the distal occlusion, although the forward displacement of the soft tissue can be seen in the postpubertal period.