An important morphological feature of the face: upper lip length

Area of Science:

• Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
• Anthropometry
• Facial Aesthetics

Background:

• The oral cavity and lips are crucial facial features influencing interpersonal interactions and smile aesthetics.
• Upper lip length and thickness significantly impact smile appearance and overall facial harmony.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the average upper lip length in the Caucasian population.
• To analyze variations in upper lip length based on age and gender within this demographic.

Main Methods:

• Lateral skull radiography was employed to measure upper lip length.
• Data was analyzed across different age categories (under 12 and over 12 years) and genders.

Main Results:

• The average upper lip length in the Caucasian population was found to be 20.25±2.555 mm.
• Individuals under 12 years had an average length of 19.79±1.641 mm, while those over 12 averaged 20.32±2.664 mm.
• Men exhibited a greater average upper lip length (21.18±2.79 mm) compared to women (19.95±2.4 mm).

Conclusions:

• Upper lip length in Caucasians is shorter in women than in men and shorter in younger individuals compared to older ones.
• The Caucasian population generally has shorter upper lips compared to Asian or Negroid populations.
• These findings contribute to understanding facial anthropometry and can inform aesthetic and reconstructive procedures.