Association of LSMx and LIMd Angles With Cephalometric Dental and Soft Tissue Parameters of Incisor Proclination and Lip Protrusion.

Background: Soft tissue analysis can be used to assess anatomical features but may or may not accurately correlate with underlying hard tissue morphology, leading to an incorrect perception of malocclusion.

Objective: This study aimed to assess the reliability of different soft tissue reference lines used to evaluate anteroposterior lip position and the position of incisors and malocclusion and compare it with those assessed via hard tissue angles (LSMx and LIMd) and determine if they are true indicators of underlying protrusion of incisors and malocclusion.

Method: A total of 120 pre-treatment lateral cephalometric radiographs were selected where patients were 18-30 years old, diagnosed as Skeletal Class I, II (Division 1 and 2), and III malocclusion.