Soft tissue thickness of face profile conditioning by dento-skeletal anomalies

Abstract

Introduction Orthodontic treatment of dento-skeletal anomalies is generally based on the correction of teeth and jaws relationship, while it is expected that soft facial tissue spontaneously adapts to therapeutically achieved relationship and to accompany hard tissue changes. Objective To establish facial soft tissue thickness conditioning by the presence of dento-skeletal anomalies. Methods The study was performed at the Dental Clinic of Niš, and involved the analysis of cephalometric rendgenograms in 121 patients, aged 12-18 years, with no previous orthodontical treatment. According to dento-skeletal relationship between teeth and jaws the patients were divided into four groups; class I (control group), class II of division 1, class II of division 2 and class III. The standard analysis of dento-skeletal profile was done according to Steiner and soft tissue profile according to Burstone was done in all. Results The patients of class II/1 had a significantly thinner upper lip (t=2.650; p<0.05) and thinner upper lip sulcus (t=1.999; p<0.05). The patients of class II/2 had a significantly thicker upper lip (t=2.912; p<0.01), while those of class III had a significantly thinner lower lip (t=3.900; p<0.001). Conclusion The thickness of facial soft tissue considerably influences facial profile appearance in persons with a dento-skeletal anomaly. Not only do soft tissues adapt to the existing jaws relationship, but can also camouflage present anomalies.