Page 24 - MDJ Volume 47 Number 2 ( Jul-Dec 2024)

Khan, et al.: Soft tissue analysis of the chin, length and thickness of the upper lip
upper lip thickness was found in normodivergent patients patients are not needed to improve the overall soft tissue
(18.40 mm) and maximum in hyperdivergent patients profile.
(20.04 mm). Longer lips were found in long and narrow- In the current study, the overall range of soft tissue chin
faced subjects, and shorter lips were found in broad and length, Me-Meʹ between hypodivergent, normodivergent
short-faced subjects. In order to compensate for lip seal and hyperdivergent subjects’ was 4–12 mm. Median values
issues, lips are wider in the vertical direction in long and for Me-Meʹ in hyperdivergent subjects was 7(5–8) mm,
narrow-faced subjects because they are more prone to have normodivergent group 7(6-8) and hypodivergent group
lip incompetence than others. [14-16] However, in our study, 7(6–8) mm. The explanation for the least difference in
we also found the maximum values for the hyperdivergent the menton between hypodivergent and normodivergent
group and minimum for the hypodivergent group.
and hyperdivergent groups may be that the menton
The overall range of upper lip thickness (ULIn- soft tissue tends to adapt to extreme hyperdivergence,
ULA) between hypodivergent, normodivergent and probably by increased soft tissue stretching with a gradual
[10]
hyperdivergent patients was 6–18 mm. The median increase in the facial divergence. Different coefficients
distance of upper lip thickness between normodivergent of correlation between soft and hard tissue landmarks
patients was 11 mm (10–13 mm); hyperdivergent patients, were observed, and it was proposed that these variations
11 mm (10–12.25 mm); and maximum in hypodivergent may be attributable to various soft tissue characteristics,
patients, i.e.; 12 mm (10–14 mm). Upper lip thickness was including the thickness, volume and shift with the surgery
maximum in the hypodivergent patients: 12 mm (10–– in the lower face height. [20,21]
14 mm); this may be attributed to lip closure in individuals
with short faces, leading to greater lip tissue collection and Study limitations
increased thickness. [14] It is necessary to mention the limitations of this study:
In the current study, the overall range of soft tissue chin 1. The anteroposterior relationship is not considered.
thickness Pog–Pogʹ between three groups was 5–16 mm, 2. Cephalometric X-rays were used, which provides a
the minimum was found in hyperdivergent patients 10(9– two-dimensional view only.
11) mm then normodivergent patients 10(9–12) mm, and 3. Gender variations not considered.
maximum in hypodivergent patients 11(10–11) mm. Our
study matches the findings with [10,17,18] study; they found
out the lowest soft tissue readings were in hyperdivergent conclusIon
subjects in both genders.
Our current study concluded that a statistically
In the current study, the overall range of soft tissue chin insignificant difference was found in the length of the
thickness Gn-Gnʹ between hypodivergent, nomodivergent upper lip in the patients exhibiting hypodivergent,
and hyperdivergent patients was 5–16 mm, the minimum normodivergent and hyperdivergent patterns; despite
median values were found among hyperdivergent 8.50(7– the fact pertaining to the minimum upper lip length in
11) mm and then among normodivergent 9(8–11) mm and subjects exhibiting hypodivergent patterns, everyone
maximum among hypodivergent 10(9–11) mm. Gn-Gnʹ may guess or argue on the fact that the minimum values
was statistically significant in our current study. [10,17] In of lip length in subjects having a short face are due to
contrast to patients with a low facial angle, patients with lip closure, which leads to a high density of lip tissue
a greater MP/SN angle had lesser soft tissue thickness. gathered in a single place and eventually enhanced
The need for orthognathic surgery in adult patients in thickness. In patients exhibiting hypodivergent pattern,
conjunction with orthodontic care has provided valuable the lip thickness value was comparatively greater. We
details on the relationship between soft and hard tissue. hence concluded that the thickness of the soft tissue chin
Genioplasty, designed to get appropriate chin shape is more in subjects exhibiting hypodivergent patterns
and add value to the facial soft tissue harmony, is than in patients exhibiting hyperdivergent patterns. The
performed to improve the contours of soft tissue linked thickness was found to be at its least values at the menton
to the disproportion between soft and hard tissue and in hyperdivergent subjects because apparently it adapts to
has created stable postoperative long-term improvements or molds to severe hyperdivergence, presumably via the
After advanced genioplasty, the high correspondence of increased stretching/elasticity of soft tissue.
changes in soft tissue at the level of the chin has been
recorded, resulting in a ratio of bony tissue to soft tissue Financial support and sponsorship
[19]
ranging from 1:0.75 to 1:0.92. In our study, we found Nil.
that at points Pog and Gn, the thickness of the soft
tissue between the subjects exhibiting hypodivergent and
normodivergent patterns was identical, which may be the Conflict of interests
only reason why adjunctive surgeries in hypodivergent There are no conflicts of interests.

50 Malaysian Dental Journal ¦ Volume 47 ¦ Issue 2 ¦ July-December 2024
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