Abstract:

Objective: To assess soft-tissue values in a group of local ethnic population with Class I occlusion by Holdaway‟s soft tissue cephalometric analysis, and to verify the pertinence of Holdaway‟s norms to local sample subjects. Study Design: Cross sectional study design. Place and Duration of Study: Orthodontics department, Bolan Medical College, Civil Sandman Hospital, Quetta, from Jun 2018 to Dec 2018. Methodology: Cephalometric radiographs of 69 Adults (33 males and 36 females) aged between 18-28 years, with normal occlusion and well aligned arches, were measured. Cephalometric landmarks were identified as stated by Holdaway analysis. On each radiograph two angular and nine linear measurements were evaluated. Results: Local ethnic population showed more convex profiles with higher skeletal convexity (1.97 ± 1.85) and H angles (15.05 ± 3.31), greater nose prominence (18.25 ± 3.73), upper lip thickness (13.43 ± 1.64), and soft tissue chin thickness (12.64 ± 1.94) compared to Holdaway‟s values. All values showed sexual dimorphism, amongst these statistically significant values (p<0.05) were of soft tissue subnasale to H line, total upper lip thickness, nose prominence, soft tissue chin thickness and inferior sulcus to H line. Conclusion: Racial variance was present in sampled population, compared to Caucasian norms. These differences must be kept in the mind when planning and executing orthodontic therapy.

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