Soft Tissue Profile Analysis by Means of Linear and Angular Parameters in Pakistani Population

Abstract

Objective: The objectives of the study were to determine the soft tissue norms of non-growing adults of Pakistani origin and to assess any gender dimorphism in the soft tissue proile. 

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on the lateral cephalograms of esthetically pleasing proiles of 70 undergraduate students aged 19-24 years of Dr. Ishrat ul Ebad Khan Institute of Oral Health Sciences. Several soft tissue linear and angular measurements of upper and lower lips, nose, and chin were carried out on lateral cephalogram. An independent sample t- test was used to compare cephalometric variables between genders. Results were taken signiicant at p-value ≤ 0.05. 

Results: Among the linear parameters, we found signiicant differences in upper lip length (p <0.001), thickness (p <0.001), prominence (p= 0.03), strain (p<0.001), sulcus depth (p = 0.01) and S plane to upper lip (p = 0.02). The lower lip linear parameters showed signiicant differences in E (p = 0.02) and S planes (p = 0.01), and H line (p <0.001). Among the angular parameters, we found statistically signiicant differences in the Z (p <0.001), H line (p = 0.01), angle of facial convexity (p<0.001), nasofacial (p= 0.04), nasomental (p= 0.05) and nasolabial angles (p<0.001). 

Conclusions: Males showed more prominent upper and lower lips, decreased prominence of nasal tip and increased soft tissue chin thickness as compared to females. Signiicant differences were found in various angular parameters among males and females.