Evaluation of the facial soft tissues in skeletal class I patients with different vertical growth patterns: A retrospective cephalometri̇c study

Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the soft tissue thickness of the face in skeletal Class I individuals with different vertical growth patterns. Material and Methods: This study was conducted on pre-treatment cephalometric radiographs (105 female,105 male) of 210 skeletal Class I individuals aged between 14 and 18 years. The individuals were divided into 3 groups according to SN-GoGn (normodivergent; 26˚37˚). 6 angular hard tissue and 10 soft tissue measurements were performed using dijital imaging software. The groups were statistically compared using ANOVA, Spearman's Correlation and Independent Samples t-Test. Results: When the groups were compared without gender discrimination, there was a statistically significiant difference in nose (Ac-Pn), upper lip (Pr-Lsp), lower lip (Id-Lip) and soft tissue chin (Pog-Pogˈ, Gn-Gnˈ, Me-Meˈ) thickness (p<0.05). The difference in Ac-Pn, Pr-Lsp, Id-Lip, Pog-Pogˈ, Me-Meˈ parameters were statistically significant between study groups in female subjects and Ac-Pn, Pr-Lsp, Id-Lip, Me-Meˈ parameters in male subjects. When the male and female subjects were compared, Ac-Pn, the upper lip thickness at the A point level (A-Aˈ), Pr-Lsp and Id-Lip parameters were lower in female subjects than male subjects. There was a negative correlation between SN-GoGn and nose, lips and chin thickness in both male and female individuals. In addition, while the upper lip thickness was correlated with sagittal position of jaws, a significiant relationship was found in female between the lower lip thickness at the B point level and the upper inclination of the incisors. In men, no correlation was found between the thickness of lower lip, the position of the jaws and the inclination of the incisors. Conclusion: In skeletal Class I individuals, the vertical growth pattern effects the soft tissue thickness of the face. The soft tissues of the face decreased in individuals with increased vertical skeletal growth. Keywords: Soft tissue thickness, Skeletal Class I malocclusion, Vertical growth pattern