Comparisons of soft tissue chin thickness in adult patients with various mandibular divergence patterns

Three-dimensional facial soft-tissue changes after surgical orthodontics in different vertical facial types of skeletal Class III malocclusion: A retrospective study

The study compared the soft-tissue response to hard-tissue movement among different Class III vertical facial types after orthognathic surgery (OGS). The study included 90 consecutive adult patients with skeletal Class III malocclusion who underwent two-jaw OGS. Patients were divided into three groups (high, medium, and low angle) based on the presurgical Frankfort-mandibular plane angle. Cone-beam computerized tomographs were taken before surgery and after debonding. Soft- and hard-tissue linear and angular measurements were performed using three-dimensional reconstruction images. One-way analysis of variance was used for intergroup comparisons. Soft tissue tended to respond more to hard-tissue movement in the lower lip area in patients with low angle (mean = 0.089, SD = 0.047, p = 0.023), whereas no significant difference was observed for other sites. Consistently, L1/Li thickness increased most significantly in the high-angle group (mean = 1.98, SD = 2.14, p = 0.0001), and B/Si thickness decreased most significantly after surgery (mean = 2.16, SD = 2.68, p = 0.016). The findings suggest that the high-angle group had a higher chance of undergoing genioplasty to enhance chin contour. Different OGS plans should be considered for different Class III vertical facial types.

Comparison of Soft Tissue Chin Thickness in Adult Patients With Various Mandibular Divergence Patterns

Objective This study aimed to compare the soft tissue chin (STC) thickness at different levels in patients presenting for orthodontic treatment with different vertical facial types. Materials and methods This comparative cross-sectional study was conducted at Sharif Medical & Dental College, Lahore, Pakistan, on 195 subjects. Patients presenting for orthodontic treatment, both genders, aged from 18 to 32 years, and Pakistani nationals were included. Patients with any craniofacial deformity, syndrome, cleft lip and palate, previous orthodontic or orthognathic treatment, and multiple missing teeth and prostheses in edentulous areas were excluded. Vertical facial patterns and STC thickness were recorded from pre-treatment lateral cephalograms. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was applied to compare STC among various vertical facial patterns. Post-hoc analysis was done using the Tukey test. Results There were 126 females (64.62%) and 69 males (35.38%). The mean age was 21.66 ± 3.44 years. All three soft tissue chin thickness distances significantly differed among vertical facial patterns (p<0.001). Multiple comparisons show that the distance between soft and hard tissue pogonion was insignificant between low and normal angle facial heights (p=0.5). Similarly, no significant difference was observed for the distance between soft and hard tissue menton in low and normal angle subjects (p=0.4). The rest of the multiple comparisons were statistically significant (p<0.05). Conclusion The STC thickness is significantly associated with vertical facial divergence. While planning orthognathic surgery or genioplasty of the mandible, due consideration should be given to vertical divergence of the face to avoid unwanted facial changes.

3-dimensional analysis of hard- and soft-tissue symmetry in a Chinese population

BACKGROUND

Facial symmetry severely affects appearance and function. Large numbers of patients seek orthodontic treatment to improve facial symmetry. However, the correlation between hard- and soft-tissue symmetry is still unclear. Our aim was to investigate the hard- and soft-tissue symmetry in subjects with different levels of menton deviation and sagittal skeletal classes with 3D digital analysis and to investigate the relationship between the entire and individual hard- and soft-tissues.

METHODS

A total of 270 adults (135 males and 135 females) consisting of 45 subjects of each sex in each sagittal skeletal classification group. All subjects were further classified into relative symmetry (RS), moderate asymmetry (MA) and severe asymmetry (SA) groups based on the degree of menton deviation from the mid-sagittal plane (MSP). The 3D images were segmented into anatomical structures and mirrored across the MSP after establishing a coordinate system. Original and mirrored images were registered by a best-fit algorithm, and the corresponding root mean square (RMS) values and colormap were obtained. The Mann‒Whitney U test and Spearman correlation were conducted for statistical analysis.

RESULTS

The RMS increased with greater deviations with regard to the deviation of the menton in most of anatomical structures. Asymmetry was represented in the same way regardless of sagittal skeletal pattern. The soft-tissue asymmetry had a significant correlation with dentition in the RS group (0.409), while in the SA group, it was related to the ramus (0.526) and corpus (0.417) in males and was related to the ramus in the MA (0.332) and SA (0.359) groups in females.

CONCLUSIONS

The mirroring method combining CBCT and 3dMD provides a new approach for symmetry analysis. Asymmetry might not be influenced by sagittal skeletal patterns. Soft-tissue asymmetry might be reduced by improving the dentition in individuals with RS group, while among those with MA or SA, whose menton deviation was larger than 2 mm, orthognathic treatment should be considered.

Assessment and evaluation of soft tissue measurements between various mandibular divergences in the South Indian population: A cephalometric study

Aim:

The aim of this study is to evaluate the association between the mandibular divergent patterns and soft tissue chin (STC) thickness measured at different chin levels in nongrowing patients.

Methodology:

Pretreatment lateral cephalograms of 400 adult patients were segregated into four groups based on mandibular divergence pattern defined by the mandibular plane to cranial base angle (average 32° ± 5°), Group I with low angle (below 27°), Group II with medium low angle (28°–32°), Group III with medium high angle (33°–36°), and Group IV with high angle (above 37°). STC thickness was measured between Pog-Pog' (pogonion), Gn-Gn' (gnathion), and Me-Me' (menton), thickness and height of the upper and lower lips were also measured. Statistical analysis was done using one-way analysis of variance followed by post hoc Tukey analysis.

Results:

A significant difference in the STC thickness at Pog, Gn, and Me was observed among all four groups with hyperdivergent patterns, showing decreased STC thickness than the hypodivergent mandibular pattern. Thickness of the upper and lower lips was greater in hypodivergent mandible, whereas height of the lips was greater in hyperdivergent mandible.

Association of Upper Lip Morphology Characteristics with Sagittal and Vertical Skeletal Patterns: A Cross Sectional Study

Background: Upper lip morphology is essential in diagnosis and treatment of orthodontics and orthognathic surgery. This study is aimed to evaluate the association between upper lip characteristics (ULCs) and skeletal patterns (SPs). Methods: 2079 patients were involved and grouped by sagittal and vertical. Class I, II, and III were identified by ANB angle, while normodivergent, hyperdivergent, and hypodivergent were identified by Facial Height Index and Sum of Angles. ULCs were evaluated by superior sulcus depth, nasolabial angle, upper lip length, basic upper lip thickness, and upper lip thickness. Confounders including demography, malocclusion, upper incisors, and upper lips were adjusted by multivariate linear regression to identify the association between ULCs and SPs. Group differences were evaluated with analysis of variance and Chi-square test. Results: The mean value of ULCs and prevalence of SPs were explored in the Western China population. ULCs were significantly different in various sagittal, vertical, and combined SPs. Superior sulcus depth was negatively related to Class II, and positively related to Class III and the hypodivergent pattern after adjusted by confounders. Conclusions: ULCs significantly varied among different SPs, while only superior sulcus depth was independently associated with SPs, indicating superior sulcus depth is the only ULC that might be significantly corrected by intervention of skeletal growth.

Factors associated with the morphology of the mandibular symphysis and soft tissue chin

Objectives:

This study aimed to (I) assess the morphology of the symphysis and soft tissue chin associated with sex, age and sagittal/vertical skeletal patterns, and (II) identify the individual and combined contributions of these variables to different portions of the symphysis.

Methods:

This cross-sectional study included 195 lateral cephalometric radiographs from untreated adults. Alveolar, basal, and soft tissue of the symphysis were measured by an X/Y cranial base coordinate system, and divided in accordance to four predictor variables: sex, age, and sagittal/vertical skeletal patterns. Parametric tests were conducted for comparison and correlation purposes, while multiple regression analysis was performed to explore combined interactions.

Results:

Alveolar inclination is related to sagittal and vertical patterns, and both explained 71.4% of the variations. Alveolar thickness is weakly predicted and poorly influenced by age. Symphysis height was 10% higher in males, and associated with a vertical skeletal pattern and sex, and both explained 43.6% of variations. Basal symphyseal shows an individual thickness, is larger in males, and vertically short-positioned with age. Soft tissue chin is not necessarily related to the size of the underling skeletal pattern, and enlarges with age, even in adulthood.

Conclusions:

The symphysis and surrounding tissues are influenced by sex, age, and sagittal and vertical patterns, acting differently on the alveolar, basal and soft tissue portions. Sagittal and vertical skeletal patterns are the strongest association on alveolar symphysis inclination, whereas sex and age acts on the vertical symphysis position and soft tissues thickness.

Differences in soft-tissue thickness changes after bimaxillary surgery between patients with vertically high angle and normal angle

INTRODUCTION

We evaluated soft-tissue thickness changes after bimaxillary surgery according to vertical facial patterns in patients with skeletal Class III malocclusion with mandibular prognathism.

METHODS

Forty-three Korean patients (16 men and 27 women; mean age, 22.6 ± 4.1 years) with skeletal Class III malocclusion who underwent bimaxillary surgery were divided into 2 groups: normal-angle group (N group) and high-angle group (H group), on the basis of the presurgical angle of the mandibular plane relative to the sella-nasion plane (SN-MP). Changes in hard-tissue landmarks and soft-tissue thickness before and after surgery were analyzed from reconstructed 3-dimensional cone-beam computed tomography images. Postoperative soft-tissue thickness in both groups was compared with that in 40 patients with normal skeletal Class I malocclusion in the reference group.

RESULTS

Group N (27°-37°) and group H (>37°) did not differ significantly in terms of sex and age before surgery. Preoperative pogonion (Pog) thickness was significantly less in group H (9.7 ± 1.6 mm) than in group N (10.8 ± 1.9 mm) (P = 0.042). Adjusted multiple linear regression analysis showed a weak positive linear relationship between the SN-MP before surgery and soft-tissue Pog thickness change (R² of 0.361; P = 0.001) after surgery, but the area below the lower lips was not completely normalized despite surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

The thickness of the soft-tissue Pog may increase slightly after surgery in patients with skeletal Class III malocclusion with a higher preoperative mandibular plane angle, but normalization in the area cannot be completely achieved despite surgery.

Lip profile changes in patients with Class II Division 1 malocclusion of varied growth patterns treated with maxillary premolar extractions: A pilot study

INTRODUCTION

This retrospective pilot study assessed the pre- and posttreatment lip profile changes among adult patients with Class II Division 1 malocclusion of varied growth patterns and compared these changes with patients with a skeletal Class I relationship, to identify the dental, skeletal, and soft tissue cephalometric variables that altered the posttreatment lip profile.

METHODS

A total of 33 digital cephalograms were divided into 4 study groups based on the mandibular plane (Mp-SN) angle: group 1 (control, skeletal Class I; mean angle = 21.5°) (n = 8), group 2 (Class II Division 1 malocclusion; low angle = <26°) (n = 8), group 3 (Class II Division 1 malocclusion; intermediate angle = 26°-38°) (n = 9), and group 4 (Class II Division 1 malocclusion; high angle = >38°) (n = 8).

RESULTS

We observed a significant decrease in SNA, ANB, maxillary incisor to NA (degrees and millimeters), and soft tissue parameters, especially lip strain and lower lip to E line and upper lip to E line. Posttreatment intergroup comparison showed a significant increase of Mp-SN, and this increase was greater in group 3, followed by group 4 as compared with group 1. In addition, statistically significant differences in SNA, ANB, mandibular incisor to NB (degrees) and IMPA, and H angle in groups 2-4 were observed.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with Class II Division 1 malocclusion showed a significant decrease in SNA, ANB, maxillary incisor to NA, and all soft tissue parameters in posttreatment compared with group 1. Thus, the soft tissue changes resulted in a similar profile to patients in group 1, who are considered to have an aesthetically pleasing posttreatment profile.

Similarity index for intuitive assessment of three-dimensional facial asymmetry

Evaluation of facial asymmetry generally involves landmark-based analyses that cannot intuitively assess differences in three-dimensional (3D) stereoscopic structures between deviation and non-deviation sides. This study tested a newly developed similarity index that uses a mirroring technique to intuitively evaluate 3D mandibular asymmetry, and characterised the resulting lower facial soft tissue asymmetry. The similarity index was used to evaluate asymmetry before and after surgery in 46 adult patients (27 men, 19 women; age, 22 ± 4.8 years) with skeletal Class III malocclusion and facial asymmetry who underwent conventional bimaxillary orthognathic surgery. Relative to the midsagittal plane used as the reference plane, the non-overlapping volume of the mandible significantly decreased, and the similarity index significantly increased after surgery. Similarity indexes of the mandible and lower facial soft tissue were strongly negatively correlated with non-overlapping volumes of each measurement. Differences in bilateral hemi-mandibular and hemi-lower facial soft tissue surface and volume measurements before surgery were significantly negatively correlated with similarity indexes of the mandible before and after surgery. This newly developed similarity index and non-overlapping volume using a mirroring technique can easily and intuitively evaluate overall 3D morphological discrepancies, especially 3D mandibular asymmetry, before and after surgery in skeletal Class III patients with facial asymmetry.

Influence of heritability on craniofacial soft tissue characteristics of monozygotic twins, dizygotic twins, and their siblings using Falconer's method and principal components analysis

Objective

The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of heritability on the craniofacial soft tissue cephalometric characteristics of monozygotic (MZ) twins, dizygotic (DZ) twins, and their siblings (SIB).

Methods

The samples comprised Korean adult twins and their siblings (mean age, 39.8 years; MZ group, n = 36 pairs; DZ group, n = 13 pairs of the same gender; and SIB group, n = 26 pairs of the same gender). Thirty cephalometric variables were measured to characterize facial profile, facial height, soft-tissue thickness, and projection of nose and lip. Falconer's method was used to calculate heritability (low heritability, h² < 0.2; high heritability, h² > 0.9). After principal components analysis (PCA) was performed to extract the models, we calculated the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) value and heritability of each component.

Results

The MZ group exhibited higher ICC values for all cephalometric variables than DZ and SIB groups. Among cephalometric variables, the highest h²_(MZ-DZ) and h²_(MZ-SIB) values were observed for the nasolabial angle (NLA, 1.544 and 2.036), chin angle (1.342 and 1.112), soft tissue chin thickness (2.872 and 1.226), and upper lip thickness ratio (1.592 and 1.026). PCA derived eight components with 84.5% of a cumulative explanation. The components that exhibited higher values of h²_(MZ-DZ) and h²_(MZ-SIB) were PCA2, which includes facial convexity, NLA, and nose projection (1.026 and 0.972), and PCA7, which includes chin angle and soft tissue chin thickness (2.107 and 1.169).

Conclusions

The nose and soft tissue chin were more influenced by genetic factors than other soft tissues.

Chin remodeling in a patient with bimaxillary protrusion and open bite by using mini-implants for temporary anchorage

Patients with bimaxillary protrusion may have an unattractive profile with a retruded chin contour. Correction of the severely protrusive anterior alveolar bone and teeth combined with a moderate open bite without orthognathic surgery can be challenging. This case report describes the orthodontic treatment of a woman with severe bimaxillary protrusion and a moderate open bite. Excellent chin morphology and facial appearance were obtained with the extraction of 4 first premolars and 4 third molars, and total distalization of both arches with 4 mini-implants, one in each quadrant between the second premolar and the first molar. The total treatment time was 30 months.

Cross-sectional human study of soft tissue chin (STC) thickness in adult patients in relation to sex, facial pattern and skeletal class

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to study the relations between the soft tissue chin (STC) and sex, skeletal class, and facial pattern; and to describe the shape and behavior of the STC.

METHODS

385 non-growing patients were selected, 206 women and 179 men, with a mean age of 28.8 years (SD 4.2). Patients were divided into groups by skeletal class (class I, II or III) and facial pattern (brachyfacial, mesofacial or dolichofacial). STC thicknesses were measured at pogonion (Pg), soft pogonion (Pg'), gnathion (Gn), soft gnathion (Gn'), menton (Me) and soft menton (Me') in the CBCTs.

RESULTS

Sexual dimorphism was observed at Pg-Pg' and Me-Me'. STC thickness was not related to skeletal class but related to facial pattern. Pg-Pg' and Me-Me' measurements showed significant differences to the combination of skeletal class/facial pattern. STC thickness was not homogenous in terms of shape and behavior.

CONCLUSIONS

The results provide evidence of a strong but complex relationship between sex, facial pattern, skeletal class and STC thickness; for this reason, each patient must be evaluated individually before undergoing orthodontics or orthognathic surgery involving the mandible and the mandibular symphysis.

Associations between mandibular symphysis form and craniofacial structures

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to (1) analyze the relationships between mandibular symphysis characteristics (height, prominence, inclination, concavity, and convexity) and facial pattern, skeletal class, lower incisor position, and sex, and (2) determine the associations between the symphysis soft tissue dimensions and the underlying osseous structures.

METHODS

Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) images were selected for 385 patients (206 women and 179 men). The patients were classified according to their skeletal class and vertical pattern. The lower incisor inclination (IMPA) was recorded. Twelve measurements were taken for each mandibular symphysis using Invivo5 software (Anatomage, San Jose, CA, USA).

RESULTS

Symphyseal measurements were larger in males than in females. Skeletal Class II and III hyperdivergent patients showed the highest symphysis height values. Hypodivergent individuals showed lower symphysis convexity angles. Concavity of the symphysis was greater for Class II hyperdivergent patients. Lower incisor inclination showed a positive correlation with symphysis concavity and inclination. Moderate and weak correlations were found between hard tissue and soft tissue parameters.

CONCLUSIONS

Only a few characteristics of symphysis morphology depend on sex, incisor position, skeletal class, and vertical pattern. More significant relationships are found when the vertical pattern and skeletal class are analyzed in combination. The shape of the symphysis soft tissue is not directly correlated with the underlying skeletal structures.

Is There a Difference in Stability After Intraoral Vertical Ramus Osteotomy Between Vertically High-Angle and Normal-Angle Patients?

PURPOSE

Few studies have evaluated the relapse pattern of intraoral vertical ramus osteotomy (IVRO) for the correction of mandibular prognathism with a high angle. The aim of this study was to measure the association between vertical facial types (high and normal mandibular plane angle) and relapse after IVRO for the management of mandibular prognathism.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The retrospective cohort study sample (skeletal Class III patients) was divided into 2 groups according to the angle of the sella-nasion plane relative to the mandibular plane (SN-MP) at the initial examination. Lateral cephalograms were analyzed for the predictor (facial type) and outcome (cephalometric changes over time) variables before surgery, 7 days after surgery, and 12 months after surgery. The 2 groups were matched for sample size (n = 20 in each). Data were analyzed using repeated-measures analysis of variance with Bonferroni correction.

RESULTS

The normal-angle group (group N, SN-MP from 27° to 37°) and high-angle group (group H, SN-MP >37°) were not significantly different in terms of gender and age at the initial examination. Seven days after surgery, the mandibles in group H moved 2.5 mm more superiorly than those in group N (P = .013); consequently, the amount of overbite correction in group H was approximately 2 mm greater than that in group N (P = .002). Nevertheless, 12 months after surgery, there was no statistically significant difference in relapse of the maxilla and mandible between the 2 groups. In the 2 groups, the mandible moved approximately 0.7 mm superiorly during retention.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings suggest that IVRO is a clinically acceptable and stable treatment modality for mandibular prognathism with a high angle.

Assessment of the Facial Soft Tissue Thickness of the Patients Affected by Unilateral Cleft Lip and Palate Using Cone Beam Computed Tomography

AIM

The aim of the study was to evaluate the soft tissue thickness of the patients affected by unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP) and to compare the findings with a matched control group without cleft using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT).

METHODS

The study sample consisted of 66 patients (31 women and 35 men) divided into 2 groups as UCLP group (34 patients; 23 men and 11 women; 9 right sided and 25 left sided; mean age: 14.11 ± 3.48 years) and control group (32 patients; 12 men and 20 women; mean age: 15.10 ± 3.13 years) without any cleft. Angular angle between Nasion-A line and Nasion-B line (ANB), angle between Sella-Nasion line and Gonion-Menton line (SN-MP) and linear (glabella, nasion, rhinion, subnasale, labrale superius, stomion, labrale inferius, labiomentale, pogonion, and gnathion) measurements were done using CBCT. Student t test was performed to compare the variables between the groups.

RESULTS

Soft tissue thickness values for men were higher in both groups, except for rhinion and glabella. Subnasale for women (P = 0.000), men (P = 0.006), and total samples (P = 0.000) and the variable of the labrale superius for men (P = 0.047) and total samples (P = 0.040) were found to be statistically significantly thinner in the UCLP group. SN-MP had significant affect on subnasale thickness (R = 15.8; Beta = -0.397; P = 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Thickness of the subnasale and the labrale superius were found to be statistically significantly thinner in the UCLP group compared with the controls.

Perioral soft tissue evaluation of skeletal Class II Division 1: A lateral cephalometric study

INTRODUCTION

To obtain the balance and harmony of the soft tissue facial profile in orthodontic treatment, it is necessary to identify the characteristics of overlying soft tissues according to the horizontal and vertical skeletal patterns. The aim of this study was to evaluate the perioral soft tissue characteristics of skeletal Class II Division 1 subjects (group II) with various vertical patterns compared with skeletal Class I subjects (group I).

METHODS

Lateral cephalograms of 99 Korean adults (44 women, 45 men; mean age, 23.4 years) were divided into 4 groups based on horizontal and vertical skeletal pattern (SN-MP angle): group I, 22 subjects; group II-low angle (<27°), 14 subjects; group II-normal angle (27°-36°), 33 subjects; and group II-high angle (>37°), 30 subjects. The correlations and multiple linear regression tests were used to determine the skeletal and dental variables influencing soft tissue characteristics.

RESULTS

Group II-high angle showed significantly greater values than did group II-low angle for basic lower lip thickness and lower lip length. The perioral soft tissue measurements of group II were correlated with the inclination and anteroposterior position of the maxillary and mandibular incisors along with facial depth (N-Go) and facial length (S-Gn). Upper lip strain of group II was not influenced by any skeletal variables but only by the inclination and anteroposterior position of the maxillary incisors.

CONCLUSIONS

Clinicians need to evaluate lip strain and lip thickness based on the skeletal pattern as well as dental inclination to obtain balance in the perioral muscle activity.

Facial soft tissue thickness among various vertical facial patterns in adult Pakistani subjects

Facial reconstruction techniques are used to obtain an approximation of an individual's appearance thus helping identification of unidentified decedents from their dried skeletal remains. Many of these techniques rely on the sets of average facial soft tissue thickness (FST) values at different anatomical landmarks provided by the previous studies. FST is influenced by the age, sex, ethnicity and the body mass index of the individual. Recent literature has shown that the anthropological variations of the skull may also affect FST at certain points. This study was designed to evaluate the effect of such variations in vertical skull morphology on FST as around one third of different population groups have either a long or short facial pattern as compared to the average facial pattern. Moreover, this study also provides a FST database for the adult Pakistani subjects that may have potential implications in the facial reconstruction of the local subjects. A retrospective analysis of 276 lateral cephalograms of adult subjects having normal sagittal facial pattern was performed. Subjects were categorized into three vertical facial patterns (long face=95, average face=102, short face=79) according to the vertical dimensions of the skull and the FST was measured at 11 midline points. To compare the FST between males and females Mann-Whitney U test was used. Kruskal-Wallis test was applied to compare FST among three vertical facial patterns. The results of our study revealed significant differences in FST at nine landmarks between males and females. These sex-based differences were more pronounced in the long and short facial patterns as compared to the average facial pattern. FST at stomion, pogonion, gnathion and menton was significantly greater in the short facial pattern as compared to the long facial pattern in both the sexes. The results of the present study highlight the importance of anthropological analysis of the skull and taking the vertical skeletal dimension into consideration while performing facial reconstruction.

Assessment of the soft tissue thickness at the lower anterior face in adult patients with different skeletal vertical patterns using cone-beam computed tomography

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate and compare the soft tissue thickness values at the lower anterior face among adult patients with different vertical growth patterns using cone-beam computed tomography.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The study sample consisted of 105 adult patients (54 women and 51 men) with a normal sagittal skeletal pattern divided into three groups according to the vertical growth pattern: high-angle (women/men, 22/13; mean age, 24.54 ± 4.45 years), low-angle (women/men, 14/21; mean age, 24.62 ± 5.08 years), and normal-angle (women/men, 18/17; mean age, 24.22 ± 5.40 years) groups. The soft tissue thickness measurements at the lower anterior face in each group were done and analyzed using the one-way analysis of variance and Tukey tests.

RESULTS

Soft tissue thickness values were the lowest in the high-angle group for both women and men. For women, the thickness values at the labrale superius, labrale inferius, and pogonion were found to be statistically significantly smaller in the high-angle group (11.49 ± 1.05 mm, 12.70 ± 1.92 mm, and 11.64 ± 2.65 mm, respectively) compared with the values in the normal-angle group (13.31 ± 2.01 mm, 15.08 ± 1.94 mm, and 14.69 ± 3.08 mm, respectively) (P < .05, P < .05, and P < .01, respectively). For men, however, no statistically significant differences were found among the vertical growth patterns (P > .05).

CONCLUSION

Women had statistically significantly thinner thickness at the labrale superius, labrale inferius, and pogonion in the high-angle group compared with the normal-angle group.