Examination of the horizontal position of the lips in relation to reference lines in the population of young adults

Abstract

Introduction: Facial beauty mostly depends on the correct mutual relations of the upper and lower jaw, along with the jaw and teeth, which results in different convexity and shape of the lips, causing the unique morphology of an individual's lips. Aim: The research aims were to determine the morphometric differences of the horizontal position of the lips concerning the reference lines (Ricketts, Steiner, Burstone, Sushner line and Merrifield angle) and sex of the subjects. Material and methods: The research was conducted on 60 subjects (30 males/30 females), students of the Faculty of Medicine University of Novi Sad, ages 18 to 20. Facial profile photos of each subject were taken in the Frankfurt plain position. After marking the reference lines in the Paint program, measurements were performed using the program ImageJ 1.48v. Results: The average distance of the upper and lower lip from the Ricketts line in males was 7.48/5.42mm, in females 5.82/3.87mm; from the Steiner line in men was 2.80/2.49mm, in females 1.99/2.21mm; from the Burstone line in males was 2.48/2.14mm, in females 2.88/2.38mm; from the Sushner line in males was 6.06/3.73mm, in females 6.50/4.31 mm; the average value of the Merrifield angle in males was 71.51°, and in females 69.57°. Conclusion: No "ideal position" of the lips concerning two or more reference lines was determined in any of the subjects. Therefore, based on these data, it is difficult to determine what is "ideal" precisely because there are several lines that are prescribed by different norms. The results of our research largely correspond to the results found in the literature.