Soft tissue profile values in Palestinian adults

ABSTRACT

To obtain standards for the soft tissue facial profile for male and female Palestinian adults using Holdaway and Legan-Burstonecephalometric analyses. 77 lateral cephalometric radiographs for non-growing Palestinian adults [46 males and 31 females] with normal occlusion were traced and measured. When compared to Holdaway norms, Palestinian adults have similar values of except for the skeletal profile convexity, H angle, and basic upper lip thickness, which were larger in Palestinians. When compared with Legan-Burstone norms [facial form analysis], Palestinians showed similar values except for decreased mandibular prognathism and increased lower face-throat angle. Comparison between men and women showed that basic upper lip thickness, upper lip thickness, and inferior sulcus to H-line were significantly larger in Palestinian men when compared to Palestinian women. The results of this study indicates that the soft tissue facial profiles for Palestinians and the values of Holdaway and Legan-Burstone are different. Such differences should be taken in to consideration when formulating a treatment plan for Palestinian patients seeking orthodontic treatment and/or orthognathic surgery