Relation between nasofacial angle and nasomental angle: A study based on profilometric analysis

Background: Profilometric analysis is very useful while measuring the angles in the profile photographs. The benefit is that the profile analysis utilizes angular measurements, which are unaffected by image enlargement. This serves as a permanent record of the patients profile view and help in establishing the ideal aesthetic norms. The objective of this research was to determine the average values of the Nasofacial Angle and Nasomental Angle, which are the two significant nose angles that constitute a crucial component of Powell's aesthetic triangle. Methodology: Standardized profile photographs of 60 subjects in age group of 12-18 yrs, comprising 30 males and 30 females were taken in this research. Nasofacial Angle and Nasomental Angle were analyzed using an Imaging IC measure software. The profilometric analysis for these two angles was done on the profile photographs and the obtained values were tablulated in an Excel sheet and sent for statistical analysis. Results: IBM's SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Sciences) version 25.0 was employed to conduct the statistical tests. It was an unpaired student t test. The nasofacial angle (G-Pog/N-Nd) for Class I males (Mean=36.07) showed significant differences when compared with females (Mean=34.33).The Nasofacial Angle measurements significantly decreased across the genders, with notable variations. Nasomental Angle (N-Pn-Pog) in Class I males, (mean = 121.14) was significantly lower than those of females (Mean= 124.16). Overall, the results showed difference in facial convexity suggesting distinct facial developmental patterns. Conclusion: Males and females were found to differ in their nasofacial and nasomental angles. The mean values derived from this sample could be utilized for comparison, diagnosis, and treatment planning in orthodontics, dentistry, and plastic surgery. There is an inverse relationship between the two angles. The greater the Nasomental angle, the smaller the Nasofacial angle.