Cephalometric Evaluation of Facial Soft Tissue Thickness in Patients under Orthodontic Treatment with Class I Occlusion and Vertical Growth Pattern Regarding Age and Gender

Cosmetic facial surgery and soft tissue are among the main reasons for orthodontic treatment and referral to dentistry. This study aimed to conduct a cephalometric evaluation of facial soft tissue thickness in patients candidates for orthodontic treatment in terms of age and gender referring to School of Dentistry, Hamadan, Iran.

This cross-sectional study investigated the cephalometric radiography of 200 patients (100 males and 100 females) with skeletal class I (ANB 1-4) and vertical growth patterns. The patients were then divided into four age groups of 10-15, 15-20, 20-25, and 25-30 years with an equal number of males and females. Following that, the soft tissues in the glabella frontal, nose, subnasal, upper lip, lower lip, and chin were measured. The data were analyzed in SPSS software (version 21) through the t-test and ANOVA.

In general, the soft tissue thickness of the nose increased with age. Regarding gender (regardless of age), the males had thicker upper and lower lips, as well as subnasal, compared to females. Considering the simultaneous assessment of age and gender, the males had thicker soft tissue in the lower and upper lips, as well as subnasal areas.

With an increase in age, only the soft tissue of the nose increased significantly. Moreover, in the same age groups, the males had thicker lower and upper lips.