Skeletal Malocclusion and Soft Tissue Angle of Convexity: Do Soft Tissues Camouflage Underlying Skeletal Malocclusion? Dr. Raman A, Dr. Kumari V. Shashikala, Dr. Padmini M.N. Department of Orthodontics & Dentofacial Orthopedics, Government Dental College and Research Institute, Bangalore Address for Correspondence: Dr. Achala Raman, Post graduate Student, Department of Orthodontics & Dentofacial Orthopedics, Government Dental College and Research Institute, Bangalore. E-mail: drachalaraman@gmail.com
Online published on 5 January, 2012. Abstract Objective To investigate whether it is possible to use a lateral (profile) photograph to determine the underlying Skeletal malocclusion, to determine the correlation between hard and soft tissue angle of convexity in each malocclusion and how much can soft tissue camouflage or augment skeletal malocclusion. Methods Profile photographs and lateral cephalograms included in the baseline data for 150 orthodontic patients were retrospectively evaluated. The subjects were assigned to skeletal classes based on ANB values obtained by radiolographic analysis. Hard tissue angle of convexity was determined from lateral cephalograms. Soft tissue angle of convexity was measured from profile photographs. The difference between the soft tissue angles of convexity was statistically evaluated by ANOVA test and multiple comparisons (post-hoc) test using Bonferroni method. The correlation between soft and hard tissue angle of convexity was carried out by Pearson's correlation co-efficient test. Results The soft tissue angle of convexity is significantly different in all the classes of malolcclusion. Soft tissue neither camouflages nor augments the hard tissue. It reflects the underlying skeletal malocclusion. Conclusion A profile photograph can be used to determine the underlying skeletal malocclusion. Top Keywords Skeletal malocclusion, Angle of convexity. Top |