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The primary objective of this study was to define the differences that exist. between different sexes on the dentoskeletal framework and the soft tissue profile around the mouth. For the purpose of this study, cephalometric radiographs were obtained from the centric occlusion with closed lip position, through the research on each 42 males and females aged from 17 to 22 years with normal occlusion and acceptable facial appearence. The results were as follows: 1. Maxillary to mandibular relationships. Among the angles formed by the long axis of the maxillary and mandibular anterior teeth, the maxillary and mandibular anterior alveolar bone, and the lower and upper lips (Fig.2), only the angle formed by the lips was more acute in males than in females. The males have a more rounded profile, and the females have a flatter profile in the lower third of the face. The differences is statistically significant for the angle formed by the lips. The fact that the lips have a difference greater than that of teeth or the alveolar bone indicates that the lip position is not entirely due to tooth and bony support. Possibly the thickness of the lips has an influence. 2. Occlusal plane. The occlusal plane was related to the anterior tooth inclination, anterior alveolar bone profile, and the lip contour, both maxillary and mandibular (Fig.3). Only the angle related to lower lip was statistically significant. The females again had the more obtuse angle, indicating a flatter profile than that of the males. 3.Skeletal planes. The angles formed by the anterior maxillary lips, teeth, and alveolar bone with the Frankfort plane and the angles of the mandibular lips, teeth, and, alveolar bone and the mandibular plane were investigated (Fig.4). Results were similar to those from maxillary to mandibular relationships. The results were statistically significant for the upper lip and the lower lip, only. 4. Esthetics. The facial line and the mandibular plane were compared with the esthetic line. These angles were different for the different sexes, but only the latter was statistically significant. This difference may be due to the profile contour of the nose.
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