Indian Journal of Mednodent and Allied Sciences

Aesthetically pleasing and balanced face is one of the objectives of orthodontic treatment. An understanding of the soft tissues and their normal ranges enables a treatment plan to be formulated to normalize the facial traits for a given individual. The aim of this study was to evaluate the variables defining the soft tissue facial profile of Khammam population. The angular measurements typically used for aesthetic treatment goals and gender differences were tested. The sample consisted of 100 dental students (50 males and 50 females) aged 17 to 25 years from Mamata Dental College, Khammam. The soft tissue profile was studied by means of standardized photographs taken in thenatural head position (NHP). The differences between malesand females were analyzed by student's t-test. The results showed sexual differences in nose tip angle and mento labial angle. Among linear measurements facial heights, facial width, lip length showed sexual dimorphism. Males have greater facial heights, facial widths and lip length. Orthodontist must individualize treatment planning, using local norms as the reference rather than the established norms for white people.