Establishment of South Indian soft tissue cephalometric norms using profile angles and esthetic analysis.

Aim: To establish soft tissue norms using profile angles and esthetic analysis in the South Indian population.

Methods: A clinically effective method is used for accurately placing the esthetic horizontal line on cephalometric radiograph. A series of two vertical lines provides the determinants for the horizontal positions of the soft tissue chin, soft tissue chin thickness, upper lip position and thickness, lower lip, maxillary incisors, and mandibular incisors in relation to the profile. Using these lines, the esthetic analysis is performed on the lateral cephalograms of 90 subjects (38 males and 52 females) of South Indian descent with a well-balanced facial profile and normal occlusion.

Results: A mild convex profile with a mean profile angle of 19.7 ± 2.4 degrees and 19.4 ± 3.2 degrees for males and females, respectively, is esthetically pleasing and encases functionally stable occlusion. There is no statistically significant difference between males and females except for maxillary incisor position.

Conclusion: Mild protrusion of incisors with upper and lower lip fullness is an acceptable treatment outcome.