Anthony Tannous Macari1, Antoine Elias Hanna. 1. a Assistant Professor, Division of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association between soft tissue at the chin (STC) thickness and mandibular divergence. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Nongrowing patients seeking orthodontic treatment (n = 190; 113 women and 77 men), who had an average age of 26.94 years (range = 18.10-53.50 years), were stratified in four subgroups based on cephalometric mandibular plane inclination to anterior cranial base (MP/SN): low = MP/SN ≤ 27° (n = 48); medium-low = 27° < MP/SN ≤ 32° (n = 60); medium-high = 32° < MP/SN < 37° (n = 37); and high = MP/SN ≥ 37° (n = 45). The STC thicknesses were measured at pogonion (Pog), gnathion (Gn), and menton (Me). Group differences were evaluated with two-way analysis of variance and Student's t-test. The Pearson product moment correlation gauged associations between parameters. RESULTS: The STC values were greater in men than women (P < .02) and were smaller in the high group (7.47 ± 2.42 mm) than in all other groups at Gn (mean values = 9.00 mm < STC < 9.58 mm; P < .001) and at Me (high group = 6.30 ± 1.89 mm; other groups = 7.15 mm < STC< 7.57 mm; P = .011). CONCLUSION: The STC is thinner at Gn and Me in hyperdivergent facial patterns, apparently in contrast to Pog. This differential thickness warrants focused research as it implies that it is possible (1) to vertically grow hard tissues impinging on the inferior soft tissue envelope in patients with severe hyperdivergence and (2) to plan for genioplasty in such patients when more advancement of the chin might be needed to compensate for the increased vertical height.
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association between soft tissue at the chin (STC) thickness and mandibular divergence. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Nongrowing patients seeking orthodontic treatment (n = 190; 113 women and 77 men), who had an average age of 26.94 years (range = 18.10-53.50 years), were stratified in four subgroups based on cephalometric mandibular plane inclination to anterior cranial base (MP/SN): low = MP/SN ≤ 27° (n = 48); medium-low = 27° < MP/SN ≤ 32° (n = 60); medium-high = 32° < MP/SN < 37° (n = 37); and high = MP/SN ≥ 37° (n = 45). The STC thicknesses were measured at pogonion (Pog), gnathion (Gn), and menton (Me). Group differences were evaluated with two-way analysis of variance and Student's t-test. The Pearson product moment correlation gauged associations between parameters. RESULTS: The STC values were greater in men than women (P < .02) and were smaller in the high group (7.47 ± 2.42 mm) than in all other groups at Gn (mean values = 9.00 mm < STC < 9.58 mm; P < .001) and at Me (high group = 6.30 ± 1.89 mm; other groups = 7.15 mm < STC< 7.57 mm; P = .011). CONCLUSION: The STC is thinner at Gn and Me in hyperdivergent facial patterns, apparently in contrast to Pog. This differential thickness warrants focused research as it implies that it is possible (1) to vertically grow hard tissues impinging on the inferior soft tissue envelope in patients with severe hyperdivergence and (2) to plan for genioplasty in such patients when more advancement of the chin might be needed to compensate for the increased vertical height.
Authors: Luciana Bocudo Hoffelder; Eduardo Martinelli Santayana de Lima; Fernando Lima Martinelli; Ana Maria Bolognese Journal: Am J Orthod Dentofacial Orthop Date: 2007-04 Impact factor: 2.650