Comparison of Facial Soft Tissue among Different Facial Patterns: A Cephalometric Study

Abstract

Introduction
With the advancement of the soft tissue paradigm, various soft tissue factors have been added to the orthodontic problem list for diagnosis and treatment planning. This study aimed to examine the dimensions of facial soft tissues alongside various cephalometric parameters in orthodontic patients.

Methods
This observational study was conducted at Department of Orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics, TUTH. Three different groups based on the morphological patterns  (brachyfacial, dolichofacial, and mesofacial) with soft tissue parameters of upper lip thickness (ULT), lower lip thickness (LLT), upper lip height (ULH), lower lip height (LLH), soft tissue chin thickness (SCT) were observed. X-rays selected for this study were 18-30 years old patients with no craniofacial deformities were selected. SPSS 21(IBM Corp. Released 2012) was used for statistical analysis.

Results
The mean age taken was 21.83+4.79 years. The mean value of facial axis measurement (BaNptGN) was 90.02 degree.  Similarly, under soft tissue measurement, the mean value of Upper Lip Thickness(ULT) was 14.51+-2.74 mm, Lower Lip Thickness(LLT) was 16.33+-1.87 mm, Upper Lip Height(ULH) was 28.21+-3.66 mm, Lower Lip Height(LLH) was 47.43+-4.66 mm,  and Soft tissue Chin Thickness(SCT) was 14.70+-2.54mm. The Facial axis, ULT, and SCT were significantly different among three facial types. Brachyfacial facial type had higher ULT than mesofacial and dolichofacial types whereas higher SCT than mesofacial types. The correlation between different soft tissue measurements showed only weak or very weak strength association.

Conclusions
Brachyfacial facial types had higher upper lip thickness than mesofacial and dolichofacial types and higher soft chin thickness than mesofacial types. There is no difference among gender in brachyfacial types, whereas male predominance was seen in mesofacial and dolichofacial type.