Changes of the Soft Tissue Profile During Growth (8-18 years old)

Today, consideration of soft tissue, esthetic and appropriate facial harmony in patients have been regarded as the base for orthodontic treatments. Therefore, awareness of soft tissue profile changes during growth is essential for orthodontists. The purpose of this study is to determine the changes of soft tissue profile during growth in both sexes. In this descriptive-analytical cross-sectional study, lateral cephalometric images of 60 individuals (30 boys and 30 girls) between 8 and 18 years old were studied. Cephalometric analysis was done and Independent T and Pearson Correlation tests were used for data analysis. Findings in the present study indicated that nose height, nose depth, lips height, upper lip thickness and soft tissue chin thickness increased significantly in the both sexes with increasing age. Increasing lip thickness in point Ls and lower lip thickness in point Li were only significant in boys group, whereas angle of soft tissue facial convexity excluding the nose and lower lip thickness had no significant increase in the both sexes. Angle of soft tissue facial convexity including the nose reduced significantly in both sexes with increasing age. Different measures change variously in males and females between 8 to 18 years old and being aware of these changes will help orthodontist in getting the best decision in preadolescent and adolescent treatment planning.