Lower facial third projection: Analysis using true vertical lines from subnasale and soft Nasion

Area of Science:

• Dentistry and Oral Surgery
• Facial Aesthetics
• Orthodontics

Background:

• Orthognathic surgery corrects malocclusions and improves facial aesthetics.
• Determining optimal facial structure positioning is crucial but debated.
• Aesthetic perception is subjective and influenced by specific anatomical landmarks.

Purpose of the Study:

• To establish numerical references for surgical planning in orthognathic surgery.
• To determine the ideal sagittal projection of maxillary incisors for aesthetic outcomes.
• To correlate specific cephalometric parameters with aesthetic perception in Caucasian patients.

Main Methods:

• Observational, retrospective study of 89 patients' lateral cephalometric and photographic records.
• Aesthetic evaluation using a 10-point scale by orthodontists, maxillofacial surgeons, and laypeople.
• Measurement of cephalometric parameters, including upper incisor and soft pogonion positions, relative to the Barcelona Line and true vertical lines.

Main Results:

• Upper incisor and soft pogonion positions significantly impact aesthetic perception.
• The ideal upper incisor projection is 2.38 mm anterior to the Barcelona Line.
• The ideal soft pogonion projection is 6.02 mm anterior to the Barcelona Line.

Conclusions:

• Upper incisor and soft pogonion positions are key predictors of aesthetic outcomes in orthognathic surgery.
• Established numerical references can enhance surgical planning for improved facial aesthetics.
• While these findings are significant, other factors can also influence overall facial aesthetics.