A proportional analysis of the soft tissue facial profile in young adults with normal occlusion

A proportional soft tissue profile analysis is presented, based on natural head position (NHP) and an extracranial vertical reference line through Porion. Twelve linear soft tissue variables and norms for 11 indices expressing vertical and horizontal soft tissue proportions of the face were obtained from lateral skull radiographs of 40 Swedish adults (20 males, and 20 females) with good occlusion. Sexual dimorphism, with larger dimensions in men than in women, was most pronounced in the vertical plane. With regard to facial soft tissue proportions, significant differences between men and women were found only for those indices which involved measurements of lower jaw prominence and facial height. The means and standard deviations for six indices in the female group were compared with corresponding data obtained from the Peck and Peck sample, which had been selected on esthetic grounds. The results showed a close match between the groups. The proportional soft tissue analysis is recommended for the treatment planning of patients scheduled for orthognathic surgery.