Cephalometric analysis of profile nasal esthetics. Part I. Method and normative data.

A comprehensive method for the measurement of profile nasal esthetics from standard lateral cephalograms was used for a group of 30 white male and 30 white female patients with skeletal Class I relationships and dental malocclusions only. Linear, horizontal, vertical, and angular hard and soft tissue measurements were made. Results for the two groups were analyzed to determine if there were statistically significant morphologic differences between the sexes. To eliminate differences related to the absolute size differences that characteristically exist between men and women, the results were taken as ratios of a fixed referent (middle third facial height), so that actual intergender differences in shape and form could be determined. The results indicated that male and female noses have essentially identical profile characteristics. The range for both sexes extended from an aquiline nasal type (more classically male) to an upturned type (more classically female). The characteristics of the normative nose for males and females are presented. The proposed methodology provides a standard objective means of evaluating changes in nasal esthetics after maxillary or rhinoplasty surgery.