BACKGROUND: The facial profile is determined by the facial soft tissue thickness (FSTT) and dentoskeletal characteristics. The aim of this study was to compare male and female characteristics of FSTT in different orthodontic malocclusions using cephalometric radiography.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: One hundred and twenty lateral cephalometric radiography-derived cephalograms of adult male (n=47) and female (n=73) orthodontic patients, aged between 16–22 years were classified according to their dentoskeletal relationships as Class I (n=30), Class II Division 1 (n=30), Class II Division 2 (n=30), Class III (n=30). Burstone analysis of seven linear dimensions of FSTT was used.

RESULTS: Men had a thicker FSTT in dentoskeletal relationships Class I, Class II Division 2, and Class III. Sex differences varied from significant (t=2.056; p<0.05) for the sub-nasal area in Class II Division 2, to highly significant (t=3.772; p<0.001) for the upper lip sulcus in Class II Division 2. Women in Class II Division 1 had significantly thicker FSTT in the lower jaw area (t=2.800; p<0.01) and for the lower lip sulcus and the chin area (t=3.961; p<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS: Men with orthodontic malocclusions were characterized by thicker facial soft tissue compared with female patients in Class I and Class II Division 2; female patients in Class II Division 1 were characterized by thicker facial soft tissue of the mentolabial sulcus and chin. Men and women with a skeletal jaw relationship in Class III showed no significant difference in their FSTT.

Keywords: Face, malocclusion, Sex Characteristics