ABSTRACT
AIM: The aim of this study was to assess the soft tissue measurements of Iranians with good occlusion and to compare the Iranian norms with other ethnicities. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 25 anthropometric variables were measured by a dentist in 50 Iranian Class I subjects (25 males, 25 females) with good occlusion and well-balanced faces. The differences between the two genders, as well as the differences between Iranian norms and the Holdaway and Burstone analyses, were statistically analyzed using a t-test (α=0.05). RESULTS: The subjects' mean age was 21.6±4.1 years. There were significant differences between males and females regarding the mentocervical angle, the nasolabial angle, Merrifield's Z-angle, the angle of facial convexity, soft tissue chin thickness, and upper lip thickness (P<0.05). The Holdaway norms can be used for the Iranian population, except for the following measurements which might be significantly different: facial convexity angle, nasolabial angle, interlabial gap, soft tissue facial angle, skeletal profile convexity, H-angle, lower lip to H-line, lower sulcus depth, and soft tissue chin thickness (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: There was a considerable sex dimorphism in the Iranian population. The Holdaway norms are not useful for the Iranian population regarding most measurements.
