Comparison of soft tissue chin thickness in adult patients with various mandibular divergence patterns in Kodava population

Abstract

Background: Finally, facial contours are determined by the soft tissues, and these can be altered by growth and orthodontic treatment. The position and the relationships among the facial structures can be affected by variation in thickness, length, and tonicity of soft tissues thereby affecting facial esthetics. Such variations between skeletal and soft tissues can cause a disassociation between the position of the underlying bony structures and the facial appearance that may shift treatment into the range of orthognathic and cosmetic surgery. Aims: This study was conducted to enumerate and compare soft tissue chin (STC) thickness in adult patients with various mandibular divergence pattern in Kodava population and to find the difference in STC thickness between men and women. Materials and Methods: A sample including eighty patients were stratified into four groups based on the divergence pattern defined by the mandibular plane (MP) to cranial base angle (MP/sella-nasion [SN]; average = 32° ± 5°). Low (L) = MP/SN ≤27°; medium-low (ML) = 27° Results: The STC thickness at Pog-Pog' and Me-Me' was the highest in ML followed by MH, low and was least in high. At Me-Me', the STC thickness was the highest in ML followed by low, MH and was least in high. Conclusions: STC thickness was greater in men than in women in all the groups except high mandibular divergence pattern.