Chin soft tissue thickness and mandibular divergency: a cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of the current study was to assess chin characteristics, in terms of soft tissue thickness and mandibular divergency, in a cohort of adult population and explore potential demographic correlations.

METHODS

The sample included 465 lateral cephalograms of adult subjects. Cephalometric measurements were recorded to determine the subjects' anteroposterior and vertical classifications. The soft tissue characteristics of the chin were determined using the upper and lower lip to E line, pogonion to nasion perpendicular, and soft tissue thickness at level of pogonion (Pog), gnathion (Gn) and menton (Me). The differences between the cephalometric parameters based on the age and gender groups as well as the relationship between soft tissue thickness measurements and mandibular divergence angle were statistically analyzed.

RESULTS

ANB angle, soft tissue thickness at the level of Pog point and menton point showed statistically significant differences between male and female subjects (p = 0.00, 0.029, 0.007, respectively). All measured parameters showed statistically significant differences based on the age group except FMA (p = 0.052), L1-MP (p = 0.28), Gn (p = 0.2), and Me (p = 0.42). No significant differences were detected in the mandibular divergency as measured by FMA at different age and gender groups. However, statistically significant differences were detected at different age and gender as measured by SN-GoMe. All parameters showed statistically significant differences among the different mandibular divergency patterns as measured by FMA and SN-GoMe angle except for ANB and Me.

CONCLUSION

The soft tissue thickness and characteristics of the chin were significantly influenced by age, gender, and malocclusion pattern in the studied sample. These variations are essential considerations for effective orthodontic and orthognathic surgical treatment planning.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Malocclusion and mandibular divergence significantly influence the morphology of the chin and surrounding facial structures. This study highlights variations in skeletal and soft tissue parameters across age, gender, and mandibular divergence patterns. These findings are clinically valuable for personalized orthodontic diagnosis and treatment planning and have broader implications in forensic science and anthropological assessments, where accurate interpretation of chin morphology is essential.