Abstract
Aims: To determine cephalometric standards for Iraqi adults using Holdaway soft tissue analysis. Materials and Methods: The sample comprised 60 individual (31 males and 29 females), aged 18–23 years. Ten linear and tow angular parameters were measured on lateral cephalometric radiographs, using the definitions provided by Holdaway. For each variable mean and SD were calculated, in addition independent samples t– test was performed to detect sexual dimorphism. Results: Some differences were determined when the measurement obtained for Iraqi sample were compared to Holdaway norms. Iraqi adults showed a more obtuse H angle, less nose prominence, more upper lip strain, more skeletal convexity, and greater soft tissue chin thickness. In addition, a comparison between males and females revealed a significant sexual dimorphism for upper lip sulcus depth, upper lip thickness, basic upper lip thickness, and soft tissue chin thickness. Conclusions: soft tissue cephalometric norms are specific for each ethnic group. The normative data for Iraqi population should be used as a guide for diagnosis and planning of orthodontic treatment
