Objective: To compare the short-term treatment effects of face mask therapy with miniplates (FM-MP) and face mask therapy with rapid maxillary expansion appliance (FM-RME) in growing Class III malocclusion patients with maxillary hypoplasia. Materials and Methods: Twenty patients were allocated into two groups according to the anchorage device: FM-MP group (n 5 10; mean age 5 11.2 6 1.2 years; miniplates in the zygomatic buttress area) and FM-RME group (n 5 10; mean age 5 10.7 6 1.3 years; bonded or banded RME). The face mask was applied for 12 to 14 hours/day in both groups with a force of 400 g/side directed 30u downward and forward from the occlusal plane. Lateral cephalograms were taken before (T1) and after FM-MP or FM-RME therapy (T2). Skeletodental and soft-tissue variables were measured. Paired and independent t-tests were performed for statistical analysis. Results: Both groups exhibited significant forward movement of point A and posterior repositioning and opening rotation of the mandible from T2 to T1. The FM-MP group showed significant protraction of orbitale (DSNO), and the FM-RME group showed a decrease in overbite and an increase in Bjö rk sum. Comparing the amount of changes between the two groups, the FM-MP group displayed greater forward movement of the maxilla than the FM-RME group (DSNA, DA to N perp, all P , .05). However, the FM-RME group exhibited a greater opening rotation of the mandible (DSNB, Bjö rk sum, all P , .01; DPog to N-perp, P , .05) and labioversion of the maxillary incisors (DU1-FH, P , .05). Conclusion: FM-MP therapy induces a greater advancement of the maxilla, less posterior repositioning and opening rotation of the mandible, and less proclination of the maxillary incisors than FM-RME therapy. (Angle Orthod. 2012;82:846-852.)

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Objectives: To evaluate area-and gender-related differences in the soft tissue thickness of potential areas for installing miniscrews in the buccal-attached gingiva and the palatal masticatory mucosa. Materials and Methods:The sample consisted of 61 Korean young adults. An ultrasonic gingivalthickness meter was used to measure the soft-tissue thickness in the buccal-attached gingiva just adjacent to the mucogingival junction of the upper and lower arches and 4 mm and 8 mm below the gingival crest in the palatal masticatory mucosa. Independent t-test, paired t-test, and oneway analysis of variance were used for statistical analysis. Results: Buccal-attached gingiva thickness in the upper arch was significantly greater in men than in women, but buccal-attached gingiva thickness in the lower arch and palatal masticatory mucosa thickness 4 and 8 mm below the gingival crest did not show gender differences. Significantly thicker soft tissue occurred in the anterior areas in the upper arch and in the posterior areas in the lower arch. In the palatal masticatory mucosa, significantly thicker soft tissue was found 4 mm below the gingival crest in the anterior areas and 8 mm below the gingival crest in the posterior areas. The areas between the canines and the premolars showed higher values than other areas 4 mm below the gingival crest. However, the soft-tissue thickness 8 mm below the gingival crest showed a progressive increase from the anterior to the posterior areas. Conclusion: Measurements of the soft-tissue thickness using an ultrasonic device could help practitioners select the proper orthodontic miniscrew in daily clinical practice.

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