The integumental profile: a reflection of the underlying skeletal configuration?

The aim of this study was twofold: (1) to evaluate the importance of the level of training in orthodontics when estimating skeletal configuration by visual inspection of the soft tissue profile, and (2) to evaluate a possible discrepancy between integumental profile (IP) and skeletal class (SC). Four test groups comprising 10 orthodontists (O), 10 senior assistants (S), 10 junior assistants (J), and 10 dentists (D) assessed horizontal and vertical skeletal pattern from a series of slides of 100 patients. The assessments were repeated after a 1-month interval. Cephalometric analysis was also carried out by using a number of conventional analyses. Analysis of the results with Levene's test, two factor mixed-design variance analysis, and Newman-Keuls' Multiple-Range test showed that (1) orthodontists, independent of their level of training, are more consistent in assessing an IP than dentists; (2) assessments were more consistent for sagittal profile than for vertical profile; (3) sagittally the Wits' appraisal corresponds best with IP, and (4) vertically the Steiner analysis corresponds best with IP.