ABSTRACT
Background The orthodontist is often confronted with the need to predict soft tissue profile changes that may result from the orthodontic treatment. The problem arises because the contribution of many of the factors influencing the soft tissue profile still needs to be fully understood. The complexity of the problem is increased in growing patients in whom the post-treatment soft tissue profile is the result of both growth and orthodontic treatment. A primary motivation for seeking orthodontic treatment is a desire to improve dental and facial aesthetics. To achieve balance in the facial profile treated orthodontically, it is essential to identify the underlying skeletal hard tissue and soft tissue parameters. The present study evaluated the changes in facial profile and aesthetics in relation to incisor position. Materials and methods Samples for this study consisted of pre-treatment lateral cephalograms of the Indian population (n = 450) having different incisor relationships. Subjects aged between 18 and 30 years were included. Angular and linear measurements were taken to analyse the incisor relationship with soft tissue parameters. Results The majority (61.2%) of subjects belonged to the age group of 18-30 years. The overall female-to-male ratio in the study was 7:3. The parameter U1 to L1 was abnormal in 86.8% of subjects. Similarly, the parameters S-line upper lip (UL), S-line lower lip (LL), E-line UL, and E-line LL were found abnormal in 93.9%, 86.8%, 82.6%, and 70.1% of subjects, respectively. A significant agreement was found between U1 to L1 and E-line UL and U1 to L1 and E-line LL. Conclusions The present study concludes that facial aesthetics combines soft and hard tissue corrections, not just based on occlusal relationships but also considering facial harmony. Thus, the incisor relationship is an important asset and strongly correlates with other soft tissue and hard tissue parameters that improve facial aesthetics for the individual undergoing orthodontic treatment.
