Effects of Age and Gender on Hard and Soft Tissue Cephalometric Features of an Iranian Population Over 12 Years Old

Background: This study aimed to investigate age- and gender-specific soft and hard tissue cephalometric features in an Iranian population with normal class I occlusion. Methods: A total of 111 Iranians (56 females and 55 males) in two age groups including individuals aged between 12-16 years and individuals aged over 16 years, with well-balanced faces and class I occlusion, were selected. Overall, 81 (40 soft tissue and 41 hard tissue) cephalometric measurements of the selected samples were traced on all cephalograms. The obtained values were compared in terms of gender and age differences and also ethnic differences between Iranian and European races. Results: This study indicated significant differences between Iranian men and women of different ages and Caucasians in terms of hard and soft tissue cephalometric measurements, which should be considered in orthodontic and surgical treatments. Some of the most important differences are greater values of facial convexity angle, nasolabial angle, and soft tissue chin thickness in Iranians than in Caucasians. Conclusion: In general, slightly more convex profiles, more protruded lips, less prominent noses, higher nose tips, and proclined and protruded central incisors are acceptable in the Iranian population. Also, Iranian women have more convex soft and hard tissue profiles, shorter anterior and posterior facial heights, larger interlabial gaps, less deep superior sulci, thinner and shorter upper lips, and thinner soft tissue chins than men. Also, non-growing adults have more advanced mandibles, larger noses, more sloping nasal tips, and larger skeletal dimensions compared with growing ones.