Correlation of upper lip morphology to smile: A photographic study

Abstract

Aims and Objective The purpose of this study was to examine different components of a smile in subjects with class I occlusion and to formulate a comprehensive photographic analysis of a smile. This study was designed to find a correlation between upper lip elevation and retraction with upper lip morphology during smiling among male and female groups. Materials and Methods Lateral cephalogram and standardized frontal photographs were taken at rest and smiling. Results A significant sexual dimorphism was apparent in several of the parameters studied. Middle portion of lower border of upper lip (MUL’-MUL) rose significantly higher by 0.91 mm in the male group than in the female group, during smiling (P = 0.003). Decrease in vermillion display (VE-VE’) was significantly higher in the male group than the in female group by 0.668 mm (P = 0.021). Conclusion This comprehensive study of lip mobility, when applied to a larger population can enable us to further evaluate the correlation between lip morphology and mobility.