Lip projection analysis in brachycephalic, dolichocephalic and mesocephalic individuals of a Mexican population.

The aim of this study was to examine the lip projection of brachycephalic, dolichocephalic and mesocephalic Mexican patients and to analyze the relationship between dental protrusion and the lip position, to identify if a labial soft tissue projection exists and to determine what features predominated in this study. A total of 120 lateral radiographs of the skull were randomly selected from patients aged 16-25 years. The linear and angular data were measured, the values of the upper and lower lip projection relative to Ricketts E-line, Steiner S-line and Arnett TV-line were collected. The angles to be analyzed were the nasolabial, mandibular plane and interincisal, and the mentolabial groove depth. The statistical significance was determined by the Student t-test. A significant difference between mesocephalic and brachycephalic patients was observed measuring the angle between the Frankfurt plane and the mandibular plane (P<0.001). Between dolichocephalic and mesocephalic individuals significant differences were observed in the lower lip to E-line (P<0.031), lower lip to S-line (P<0.010), the interincisal angle (P<0.032) and the mandibular´s plane (P<0.001). A statistical significant difference was shown between brachycephalic and dolichocephalic individuals: lower lip to E-line (P<0.001), upper lip to S-line (P<0.037), lower lip to S-line (P<0.001), interincisal angle (P<0.034) and the angle between the mandibular´s plane (P<0.001). Lip soft tissue projection will depend on the population studied; we found some significant differences when compared with the cephalometric norms.