CHANGES IN THE UPPER LIP DIMENSIONS DURING REST AND SMILING BASED ON AGE AND SEX IN INDIAN POPULATION

Dr. Prasad Chitra; Dr.  Sagar Dahiya

Volume : IV, Issue : XI, November - 2014

CHANGES IN THE UPPER LIP DIMENSIONS DURING REST AND SMILING BASED ON AGE AND SEX IN INDIAN POPULATION

Dr. Prasad Chitra, Dr. Sagar Dahiya

Abstract :

Introduction :Our objectives were to evaluate and quantify 1) Upper lip soft– tissue changes in the vertical dimensions both at rest and at maximum smile 2) Smile index and 3) To determine a possible correlation between these values with age and sex in Indian population. Materials and Methods :48 volunteers (24 males, 24 females) were divided into 4 age groups ( 11–15yrs, 16–20yrs, 21– 25yrs & 26–30yrs). For each subject nine measurements of upper lip position and maxillary incisor crown height at rest and in maximum social smile were recorded. Results :Statistically significant values were seen between groups of males and females with age. Relaxed external upper lip length in males is 1.5 mm greater than females and increases with age. With age the smile tends to be more horizontal, with males witnessing more horizontal smile pattern. Conclusions :From the study following findings were observed with age: (1) Drooping effect in the upper lip is seen with age which is more pronounced in females as compared with males. (2) Mean maxillary central incisor display is more in females as compared to males and decreases with age. (3) Females have a more vertical smile as compared to males based on the smile index and this decreases with age.