Soft Tissue Characteristics and Gender Dimorphism in Class III Malocclusion: a Cephalometric Study in Adult Greeks

Abstract

Summary Background/Aim: Class III malocclusion case are considered complex problems associated with unacceptable esthetics. The purpose of the present study was to assess the characteristics of the soft tissue profile and investigate the possible gender differences in adult Greeks with Class III malocclusion. Material and Methods: The material of the study comprised of 57 pretreatment lateral cephalograms of adult patients with Class III malocclusion aged 18 to 39 years. Eleven variables were assessed. The variables were measured and the mean, minimum and maximum and standard deviations were calculated. Parametric and non-parametric tests were used to compare males and females patients. Results: The total sample was characterized by concave skeletal profile. Male patients exhibited greater nose prominence and superior sulcus depth, longer distance from subnasale to the harmony line, more concave profile, thicker upper lip and larger upper lip strain. Conclusions: Many significant differences were noted in soft tissue characteristics between males and females with skeletal Class III malocclusion, suggesting possible gender dimorphism.