Anthropometric Measurements of Facial Soft Tissue of Adult Saudi Female with Normal Occlusion.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to establish the anthropometric mean of facial soft tissue for adult Saudi female and to compare the findings to published data for the North American Caucasian. The direct anthropometric method was used because its simplicity, cost, and reliability outweighed its disadvantages. The sample consists of 69 adult Saudi female with normal occlusion, balances face, no previous history of orthodontic treatment, tooth loss or facial injuries. The sample was selected form students and staff of the College of Dentistry, King Saud University. The mean age was 24 years. The head was positioned in the natural head posture. Sixteen landmarks were indentified and 33 linear and angular variables were measured for each subject. The mean, standard deviation and standard error of the mean for the facial soft tissue parameters were obtained. The method of error was determined by rerecording the measurements of 21 subjects in 2 occasions and the errors were assessed by the double determination method backed by the correlation coefficient. The findings of the adult Saudi female were compared to the North American Caucasian. Significant differences were found in the linear and angular measurement, except for the lower face height, chin length and facial depth.