Soft-tissue Cephalometric Norms of Kashmiri Population with Normal Occlusion and Well-balanced Faces

Abstract

Objective: To establish soft-tissue cephalometric norms of Kashmiri population and to compare them with European-American norms. Material and Methods: A total of 102 subjects falling in the age group of 19 to 25 years were selected from random and representative sample of 5317. Reference lines were traced according to the definitions given by Holdaway, Rickett, Steiners, Merrifield, and nasiolabial angle. Thirteen linear and 4 angular measurements were analyzed on the lateral cephalogram of the sample. Results: Significant differences were found between male and female subjects in measurements of the soft-tissue facial angle, upper lip thickness, upper lip strain, lower sulcus depth and soft-tissue chin thickness, and upper lip to S line and nasiolabial angle. Soft-tissue cephalometric norms of Kashmiri population that were measured in the present study when compared with the norms set by Holdaway’s parameters, Rickett’s E line, Merrifield Z angle, Steiner’s S line, and nasiolabial angle did not fall within the normal range. The facial angle was found to be greater by 1.36°, upper lip sulcus depth was greater by 0.53 mm, convexity at point A was greater by 2.43 mm, the H angle was greater by 5.64°, upper lip thickness and strain were greater by 2.30 and 2.36 mm, respectively, soft-tissue chin thickness was greater by 0.92 mm, upper lip to S line was greater by 0.60 mm, and lower lip was greater by 0.91 mm when compared with the standard European-American norms. Conclusion: According to the present study, the measured soft-tissue cephalometric norms for Kashmiri population differed from the standard norms. When planning orthodontics treatment, it should be kept in mind that the profile may not necessarily be orthognathic.