Facial Profile Convexity in Skeletal Class II Malocclusion: How Soft Tissue Angle of Facial Convexity (SA-FC) Correlate with Angle ANB in Skeletal Class II Subjects

OBJECTIVE: The research was conducted to determine the correlation between Soft tissue angle of facial convexity (SA-FC) and angle ANB in skeletal class II malocclusion. The outcome of the study will help in determining if the routine consideration of ANB angle while the lack of defined thresholds for convexity of soft tissue profile justified for choosing the treatment modality. METHODOLOGY: Lateral cephalograms of 141 skeletal class II subjects (ANB>4°) were obtained. Angular parameters including soft tissue angle of facial convexity (SA-FC) and angle ANB were determined. Gender dimorphism of the variables was assessed by Mann Whitney U test. Correlation between SA-FC and angle ANB were determined utilizing Spearman's correlation coefficient. RESULTS: The angle SA-FC and ANB depicted moderately positive correlation (r = 0.662, p<0.001). Gender dimorphism exists with increased mean value of ANB (7.88±1.90) and SA-FC (23.22±7.61) in females. CONCLUSIONS: Angle SA-FC depicts moderately positive correlation with angle ANB among skeletal class II subjects, hence suggesting the need of soft tissue guidelines along-with hard tissue parameters for selection of treatment modality. KEYWORDS: Cephalometry, Malocclusion, Diagnosis, soft tissue, correlation.