Comparison of Upper Lip Length to the Incisal Exposure of Maxillary Anterior Teeth

Abstract

Background: The esthetics of the face and teeth help in the prognosis of the outcome of orthognathic surgery, implant surgery, operative dentistry, anterior aesthetic surgery, and fixed or removable prosthetic procedure.

Objective: To compare the amount of maxillary incisal exposure between patients with normal and short upper lip lengths.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at the Orthodontics Department of Peshawar Dental College and Hospital, Pakistan, and involved clinical measurements of upper lip length and incisal exposure using a digital vernier caliper. A total of 235 adult patients were assessed according to their upper lip length and their classification was done under short upper lip, normal upper lip or enhanced upper lip length. A digital vernier caliper was used to measure the amount of incisal exposure during the resting position as well as during the smiling phase.

Results: Out of total 235 participants, 112 (47.7%) were males and 123 (52.3%) females, with a mean age of 32.4±SD years and an age range of 20-45 years.  Normal lip length participants had the largest exposure with a mean of 8.19 mm±1.87 SD (p value <0.001) as shown by the outcome whereby different lip length groups presented significant differences in incisal exposures. The angular depth of the incisal edges was less exposed than that analyzed by the observers with increased or decreased labial lip lengths.

Conclusion: The study shows that upper lip length significantly affects maxillary anterior tooth visibility at rest and during smiling, with optimal esthetic incisal display observed in individuals ............