American Journal of ORTHODONTICS
Founded in 1915 Volume 85 Number
A soft-tissue cephalometric analysis and its
use in orthodontic treatment planning.
Part II
Reed A. Holdaway
Provo, Utah
T he term visual (or visualized) treatment ob-
jective (VTO) was coined to cormmmicate the planning
of treatment for any orthodontic problem. Systems
based on hard-tissue measurements or reference lines
alone may produce disappointing results. It is high time
that orthodontists use a method of considering a case
from all possible perspectives, such as the limitations of
the case, the good aspects of the case, etc. Then, from an
understanding of profile soft-tissue responses accom-
panying tooth movement, we can first develop a lower
face profile outline that is harmonious with the skeletal
type of the patient under study. Once we have developed
that soft-tissue profile objective with an understanding
of how the lips respond when the teeth are moved, we
can plan the dental repositioning necessary to bring
about the desired change. More important, when we
have quantitated a soft-tissue profile that is excellent, as
the patient is treated we will take great care in our
procedures to not do anything that will detract from the
physical attractiveness of that person’s face.
Before I explain the VT0 steps, the question of
how much (and in what manner) a particular patient
will grow must be considered. This is where. our careful
study of all previously treated cases, as in Part I of this
presentation,’ helps us to get the “feel” of a case.
I believe that growth-forecasting methods get one
much closer to final size and proportion than one can
ever get by working only from the pretreatment tracing
4 April, 1984
Copyright 0 1983 by The C. V. Mosby Company
ORIGINAL ARTICLES
Dr. Holdaway
with a “static synthesis. ‘Q Of course, a static approach
is all that is needed for nongrowing patients.
For patients in whom growth is expected, forecast-
ing growth with a visual treatment plan with the input
of soft-tissue visualization will be useful. Your own
treatment effects on such things as mandibular growth
behavior and anchorage conservation must be evaluated
in order to increase your VT0 accuracy. My own cases
finish active treatment much closer to my VTOs than if
a VT0 is done for someone else to follow in treatment.
I will present the steps of the VTO, using one case
first, and then show various types of cases in which just
the denture orientation based on soft tissues will be
shown.3
For relatively short treatment periods, sliding the
VT0 tracing upward and forward along the basion-
nasion line is satisfactory. In comparing this approach
to the sella-nasion line approach, we find that the mid-
face vertical growth is more accurate when the sella-
nasion line is used to express forward growth at nasion .
This was especially noticeable when growth over a pe-
riod of 5 years or longer was forecast whereas exces-
sive midface height resulted from use of the basion-
nasion line.
In using the Ricketts facial axis to find the man-
dibular and soft-tissue chin position, Jacobsen and
Sadowsky3 report three times the growth of that at na-
sion, which is nearly always less than 1 mm per year. If
279

280 Holdaway
Fig. 1. Draw frontonasal area, line SN and line NA.
my observations are correct, usually only 0.66 to 0.75
mm per year occurs, whereas growth on the facial axis
is reasonably consistent at 3 mm per year except during
growth spurts, especially the pubertal growth spurt,
when it may approach twice that amount in some boys.
Another variation from the article by Jacobsen and
Sadowsky3 involves those cases which at the time of
retention will not fall into the best range in the convex-
ity H angle chart, on both the convex and the concave
sides. The use of the line to the vermilion border of the
upper lip perpendicular to the Frankfort plane plus the
variable H angle as skeletal convexity varies should be
substituted whenever upper lip curl or overall lip sup-
port appears questionable by the usual method.
The overall effects of growth and treatment appear
more accurate with this simplified technique for growth
forecasting when used along with my own understand-
ing of the treatment responses of my own patients.
Jacobsen and Sadowsky are correct in their statement:
“Growth responses are generally predictable within
certain limits and can be measured. The VT0 as de-
scribed here is based on this philosophy. Newer stud-
ies , however, have indicated quite clearly that one can-
not rely completely on the constancy of the growth
pattern, since increments of facial growth are not
Am. J. Orthcd.
April 1984
necessarily uniform in either direction or rate. It is rec-
ognized that precise prediction of skeletal or soft-tissue
growth in amount or direction is beyond our present
knowledge. However, until the stage is reached
whereby orthodontists and/or scientific investigators
are able to accurately predict or determine direction and
rates of growth, we have no alternative but to avail
ourselves of our present knowledge of growth based on
average increments. ”
Orthodontic treatment is monitored with progress
head films, usually at 6-month intervals. Whenever a
case is encountered in which growth is occurring in a
different direction than expected, a new midtreatment
VT0 is then constructed so that changes in treatment
procedures can be made and any disfiguring lip re-
sponses can be avoided.
Whenever possible, it is a good plan to take head
films for a year or two prior to beginning treatment and
thus develop a growth profile for the case, assuming
that there is an opportunity to examine the patient that
early. Developing pretreatment growth profiles of our
patients helps to overcome our inadequacies in growth
forecasting.
There are not more than one or two out of 100 cases
in my practice today in which there is dissatisfaction
Volume 85
Number 4
Fig. 2. Express growth in the frontonasal area for the estimated
treatment time. Here horizontal growth is expressed in the fron-
tonasal area for the estimated treatment time.
with the final outcome of treatment after final soft-
tissue adaptive changes have occurred, as opposed to
one out of five prior to use of the soft-tissue VTO.
In addition to the six reference lines presented in
Part I for the actual VT0 construction, three more
shown in Fig. 1, A (dotted lines) are added to the
tracing to facilitate rapid copying of portions of the
pretreatment lateral cephalometric tracing. First is the
nasion to point A line. In longitudinal growth studies of
patients not undergoing orthodontic treatment, the
constancy of the angle SNA is extremely good-only
about 1” change in 5 years on the average. For l- or
2-year forecasts, we can disregard such a small
amount. Reference lines or angles that are very near to
constants offer our best chance of constructing visual
treatment objectives that we can confidently use as
Soft-tissuecephalometric analysis 281
Fig. 3. Express growth of the mandible in its vertical and an-
terior growth pattern and draw the anterior portion of the man-
dible, the soft-tissue chin, and the Downs lower border of the
mandible line.
treatment goals and guides during orthodontic treat-
ment. Second is Ricketts’ facial axis (foramen rotun-
dum to gnathion) . This is used as a guide to direction of
mandibular growth. Third is the mandibular plane
(Downs). Some may prefer to use the Go-Gn line as a
lower border of the mandibular reference line. Either is
acceptable, but the Downs mandibular plane line is
preferred because of its nearness to the actual lower
border.
The headfilm should be taken with the patient’s lips
lightly touching.
VT0 STEPS
Step I (Fig. 1, B and C)
The first step is to place a clean sheet of tracing
material over the original tracing, copying (1) the fron-
tonasal area, both hard- and soft-tissue, with the soft-
tissue nose carried down to near the point where the
282 Holdaway
Fig. 4. Express growth in a horizontal direction in the mandible
(or lower face) and draw the posterior portion of the mandible.
outline of the nose starts to change directions; (2) the
sella-nasion line; and (3) the nasion-point A line.
Step 11(Fig. 2)
First, superimpose on the SN line and move the
tracing to show expected growth (0.66 to 0.75 mm per
year unless a pubertal growth spurt is expected from
wrist plate studies).
Second, copy the outline of sella.
Third, either copy or change the facial axis (Rick-
etts’ foramen rohmdum to gnathion) as you expect it to
behave according to the facial type of the patient and
the treatment mechanics that you customarily use in
such cases. (The facial axis line is usually opened about
l”, but it may even be closed if one is confident that
Am. J. Orthod.
April 1984
Fig. 5. Locate and draw the maxilla, the new A point, and the
lower part of the nose.
mandibular growth of the forward rotational type will
occur during treatment .)
Note: It is important to understand that the pre-
diction of growth at nasion, along the SN line, is ac-
tually an overall prediction for all midfacial structures,
including the nasal bone, the maxilla, and the soft
tissues.
Step III (Fig. 3, A and B)
First, superimpose the VT0 facial axis on the orig-
inal and move the VT0 up so that the VT0 SN line is
above the original SN. The amount of movement will
usually be 3 mm per year of growth, except in acceler-
ated growth-spurt periods. (Note: Since the facial axis
may be opened or closed as judged from the facial
Volume 85
Number 4
Fig. 6. Locate and draw the occlusal
pattern, the SN lines will not be parallel if we have
changed the facial axis.)
Second, copy the anterior portion of the mandible,
including the symphysis and anterior half of the lower
border. Also draw the soft-tissue chin, eliminating any
hypertonicity evident in the mentalis area. (Slightly
round out this area.)
Third, copy the Downs mandibular plane.
Step IV (Fig. 4, A and 8)
First, superimpose on the mandibular plane and
move the VT0 forward until the original sella and the
VT0 sella are in a vertical relation.
Next, with the tracing in this position, copy the
gonial angle, the posterior border, and the ramus.
Finally, superimpose on sella to complete the
condyle.
Soft-tissue cephalometric analysis 283
plane. Fig. 7. Draw a new H or harmony line and, using it as a guide,
draw the most ideal lip position and form possible for that patient.
Note: At this point total vertical height has been
forecast, as has the forward location of the chin struc-
tures, both hard and soft, and consideration will have
been given to effects of treatment mechanics on vertical
dimension. One should not open the facial axis more
than 1” to 2” because greater opening than this is usu-
ally inconsistent with good treatment mechanics.
Step V (Fig. 5, A and B)
First, superimpose the VT0 NA line on the original
NA line and move the VT0 up until 40% of the total
growth is expressed above the SN line and 60% below
the mandible. (Note: This may be varied as you per-
ceive the facial type to be short or long.)
Second, with the tracing in this position, copy the
284 Holdaway
Fig. 8. Procedure followed in drawing new lip outlines.
maxilla to include the posterior two thirds of the hard
palate, PNS to ANS to 3 mm below ANS.
Third, also with the tracing in this same position,
complete the nose outline around the tip to the middle
of the inferior surface.
Note: The vertical growth of the nose over the usual
18 to 24 months of estimated treatment time keeps pace
with the growth from the maxilla vertically to the an-
terior cranial base. Thus, its relationship to ANS is
relatively constant. In some cases there may be an ele-
vation of the nasal bone and greater development of the
nasal bulk, but this is difficult to predict and thus some
noses will have changed form more than this VT0
procedure suggests.
Step VI (Fig. 6, A and B)
First, with the VT0 still superimposed on the line
NA, move the VT0 so that vertical growth between the
Am. J. Orthod.
April 1984
maxilla and the mandible is expressed 50% above the
maxilla and 50% below the mandible.
Second, with the tracing in this position, copy the
occlusal plan.
Note: Ideally, the occlusal plane is located about 3
mm below the lip embrasure. This permits the lower lip
to envelop the lower third of the crowns of the upper
incisor teeth. If the cant of the occlusal plane is correct,
it should be maintained. If not, then it can be altered
accordingly at this stage. In cases involving short upper
lips, it may not be practical to intrude the upper incisors
to this extent, but the vertical relationship of the teeth
and gingival tissue will be more esthetically pleasing if
we can reach this goal.
Step VII (Fig. 7, A and 6)
Note: When there is a uniform distribution of the
soft tissues in the profile and the upper lip is of average
length, and where the cant of the H line is not adversely
affected by excessive facial convexity or concavity, the
depth of the superior sulcus measured to the H line is
most ideal at 5 mm. A range of 3 to 7 mm allows one to
maintain type with short and/or thin lips and long
and/or thick lips. Additional refinement of the tech-
nique, which covers all of the above, is gained by use
of the vertical line from Frankfort plane to the vermil-
ion border of the upper lip, which is ideal at 3 mm with
a range from 1 to 4 mm. To find the point along the
lower border of the nose outline at which the new H
line will intersect it, both perspectives are used in the
exceptional cases just mentioned.
First, line up a straight-edge tangent to the chin and
angle it back to a point where there is a 3 to 3.5 mm
measurement to the superior sulcus outline of the origi-
nal tracing and draw the H line to this. As one redrapes
the superior sulcus area to the new tip of the upper lip
point, a 5 mm superior sulcus depth develops almost
automatically. If you have trouble with this, the use of
the Jacobson-Sadowsky lip-contour template* is rec-
ommended .
Second, with the tracing still superimposed on the
maxilla and line NA and using the occlusal plane (Fig.
8, A and B) as a guide for the lip embrasure, draw the
upper lip from the vermilion border to the embrasure.
Then from the point on the lower border of the nose
where its outline stopped on the VTO, draw in the
superior sulcus area. This is a gradual draping to the
new vermilion border outline.
Third, superimpose on line NA and the occlusal
plane, Form the lower lip, remembering that from 1
mm behind the H line to 2 mm anterior can be excel-
lent, depending on variations of thickness of the two
*Unitek Corporation, Monrovia, Calif.
Volume 85 Soft-tissue cephalometric analysis 205
Number 4

Fig. 9. Relocate the maxillary central incisor. (Once the most

harmonious position and form of the lips have been established,
it is a simple matter to compute the necessary repositioning of Fig. 10. Reposition the lower incisor and calculate the effect of
the anterior teeth to produce them.) this on lower arch length.

lips. Again, most cases will fall on the H line or within
0.5 mm of it.
Finally, complete the inferior sulcus drape from the
lower lip to the chin in a form harmonious with the
superior sulcus. (Note: The lips are not expected to
have fully adapted to this position in more than about
one half of the cases at the time of retention.)
Step VIII (Fig. 9, A and B)
First, with the exceptions noted earlier, lip strain
that shows up as excessive upper lip taper is our first
consideration. In the case shown in Fig. 9, the basic lip
thickness measurement was 15 mm and the thickness at
the vermilion border was 10 mm. One millimeter of
taper is normal, leaving a lip strain factor of 4 mm.
Next we are concerned with how many millimeters
the upper lip is back from its original position. This is
measured with the tracings superimposed on line NA
and the maxilla. In the present case this also amounts to
4 mm.
The third consideration is maxillary incisor “re-
bound. ’ ’ When the maxillary incisors have been re-
tracted 5 mm or more and the case has been slightly
overtreated to a near edge-to-edge incisor overbite and
overjet relationship, we can expect about 1.5 mm re-
lapse tendency. Obviously, there will be no tendency to
move labially in those cases in which the upper incisor
is not retracted or in those cases, such as anterior
crossbites and/or Class III cases, in which the maxil-
lary incisors have been expanded labially. Here the
incisor retraction is significant, and we will use 1.5 mm
for incisor rebound. In this particular patient, then, the
206 Holdaway
Fig. 11. Determine the lower first molar position, considering
total arch length discrepancy.
calculations would be as follows: (1) Elimination of lip
strain, 4 mm. (2) Upper lip change, 4 mm. (3) Maxil-
lary incisor rebound, 1.5 mm.
Finally, with the tracing still superimposed on line
NA and the maxilla, place the maxillary incisor
template, taking cognizance of the amount that it is to
be repositioned (9.5 mm in this case), its axial inclina-
tion, and the relationship of the incisal edge to the
occlusal plane, and draw the tooth.
Step IX (Fig. 10, A and B)
First, superimpose the VT0 on the mandibular
plane and symphysis. Using the template, reposition
the lower incisor to be in ideal retention occlusion with
Am. J. Orthod.
April 1984
Fig. 12. A, Reposition the maxillary first molar. 8, Complete the
artwork in the area involving point A, in the anterior portion of
the hard palate, and in the lower alveolus lingually and labially.
the maxillary incisor, using the occlusal plane as a
guide and by tipping the tooth about the apex unless
bodily movement is needed to improve the form of the
inferior sulcus area.
Second, with the tracing in this same position, mea-
sure the amount of lingual movement of the lower in-
cisors. Twice this amount is the arch length loss due to
lower incisor (uprighting) lingual tipping or gain from
labial tipping when indicated. This loss of arch length
is now combined with the arch length discrepancy de-
termined from the model to obtain the total arch length
discrepancy. In this case, the calculations would be (1)
arch length loss from reposition, 2 X 4 = 8 mm; (2)
model discrepancy, 2 mm; (3) total discrepancy, 1Omm.
Volume 85
Number 4
Fig. 13. Retention and follow-up tracings of patient
illustrate VT0 steps.
Step X (Fig. 11, A and B)
With the tracing superimposed on the mandibular
plane and symphysis and using the occlusal plane as a
vertical guide, draw the lower molar where it must be
to eliminate remaining space if extractions must be part
of the treatment plan. In the case shown in Fig. 11,
each lower molar must be moved forward 2.5 mm.
Note: By using the VT0 approach, you will come
upon many cases where mesially tipped lower molars
can be uprighted to gain all of the model arch length
discrepancy when the incisor position is adequate. Dis-
tal tipping of lower molars 2.5 mm can allow nonex-
traction treatment in cases of a model discrepancy of 5
mm. In other cases, especially those having a history of
thumb- or lip-sucking or in which serial extraction is
Soft-tissue cephalometric analysis 287
Fig. 14. Pretreatment, retention, and follow-up photographs of
case shown in Fig. 13.
used to
contraindicated, the VT0 will show that the lower in-
cisors need to be moved forward, thus also increasing
arch length and reducing the need to extract. On occa-
sion both approaches can be used. In my opinion, lower
incisors should not be moved forward to a point more
than 1 mm anterior to the A-pogonion line, as post-
treatment stability and long-term periodontal health are
usually endangered by so doing.
The use of the VT0 at this point to study and
evaluate anchorage and arch length is one of its great
advantages. If the lower molar must be moved an-
teriorly as much as 3.5 mm, the lower second premo-
lars will be removed. There are cases in which there is
an extremely thin alveolar process, particularly those
cases that have deficient lower face height where the
lower molars seem to get locked up in cortical bone if
the second premolars are extracted. Extraction of the
288 Holdaway
Fig. 15. A Class III case for which mandibular setback
analysis and VT0 showed that orthodontic treatment
second premolars instead of the first premolars actually
increases the lower molar anchorage. When these two
factors combine as contraindications to forward lower
molar movement, it is sometimes better to look at
judicious narrowing of the teeth through stripping and
polishing than to extract at all.
Step XI (Fig. 12, A)
First, using the occlusal plane and the lower first
molar as a guide, with a tooth template, position the
upper first molar in ideal Class I occlusion with the
lower first molar.
Second, superimposing tracings on the original NA
line and the outline of the maxilla, evaluate the extent
of upper molar movement. In cases that worked out as
lower arch nonextraction cases, one may still need to
think about other extraction alternatives in the upper
arch, such as upper second molars when good third
molar buds are developing or upper first premolars.
Step XII (Fig. 12, B)
Note: As to how point A changes with incisor re-
traction, it is imperative that the clinician study the be-
Am. .I. Orthod.
April 1984
surgery was previously advised. The soft-tissue
alone was the procedure of choice.
fore and after tracings of many cases superimposed on
the original NA line and best fit of the maxilla to get the
“feel” for this step. Obviously the change in point A is
greater when the upper incisor root apices are moved a
considerable distance than when the upper incisors are
tipped lingually. More change in A point is also evident
when the tracing is superimposed in this manner if we
are going to use heavier orthopedic forces, especially in
younger patients (in the mixed dentition).
When completed, the VT0 can be used not only in
case analysis and treatment planning, but as we con-
sider movement of the various groups of teeth to correct
a malocclusion the mechanical procedures that will be
most direct and efficient practially suggest themselves.
Mention must also be made of the usefulness of VTOs
to monitor treatment from periodic head films. Using
all that we think we know about growth and facial
types, on occasion we discover that nature has some-
thing else in mind and we may need to change the
course of our treatment because of an unexpected
growth response.
As we look at the retention tracing in Fig. 13, A, it
is evident that the tooth movement objectives of the
Volume 85
Number 4
Fig. 16. For legend, see Fig. 15.
VT0 were accomplished. The soft-tissue analysis mea-
surements , while greatly improved, still fail to meet the
VT0 goals, even though the soft-tissue chin position
has improved 1”. This is because the lips still have not
completely adapted to the tooth movement. There is an
increased measurement of the upper lip thickness at the
vermilion border from 10 to 16 mm. The H angle has
improved from 23” to 14”. However, with a 2 mm
convexity, ideally it should be 12”.
In the 7-year follow-up shown in Fig. 13, B, the
soft-tissue facial angle is an ideal 90”. The superior
sulcus form is excellent to both reference lines. The
upper lip has 1 mm of normal taper, with a slight de-
crease in basic thickness. Skeletal convexity is down to
0, and the H angle is ideal at lo”. The upper lip has
completed its adaptive changes and has a 1 mm taper.
We see the same changes in this patient’s facial photo-
graphs (Fig. 14).
ILLUSTRATIVE CASES
We will show a few cases to illustrate further how
the use of the soft-tissue analysis and the VT0 based on
the analysis can help us make correct decisions and
improve the orthodontic care of our patients.
In the first case (Figs. 15, A-C and 16) the patient is
a white man, 22 years 5 months of age, with a Class III
dental malocclusion. Skeletally, the soft-tissue chin
Soft-tissue cephalometric analysis 299
Fig. 17. A Class II case in which mandibular advancement sur-
gery was previously advised.
position at 93.5” to Frankfort plane is not excessively
prognathic. The -3 mm convexity measurement is
likewise indicative of a Class III tendency, but in the
mild range, in spite of models that show more than a
half-premolar Class III dental malocclusion. When we
look at the soft-tissue profile measurements, we see a
superior sulcus depth of 5 mm to the line perpendicular
to Frankfort and 7 mm to the H line. These are both
adequate measurements for a man with fairly thick and
long lips. When we look at the lower lip to the H line, it
measures 6 mm anterior to the line. When we look at
the lower incisor position in relation to the hard-tissue
facial plane, the incisors are 9 mm anterior to the bony
chin. In drawing a VT0 in this case, as shown in Fig.
15, B, the upper incisors become the area to disturb as
little as possible. One should consider treatment me-
chanics and their effect on mandibular opening. Vigor-
ous Class III pull will tend to elongate upper buccal
segment teeth and hinge the mandible down and back,
improving both the convexity and the soft-tissue facial
plane angle or mandibular prominence.
After 13 months of treatment, the retention tracing
(Fig. 15, C) is very close to the treatment plan as seen
in the VTO.
It is true that the four premolars were extracted, but
there is no way that maxillary incisor alignment would
have maintained itself without extractions, even if the
290 Holdaway
Fig. 18. For legend, see Fig. 17.
mandible had been set back surgically. The soft-tissue
chin position was always good. The lower incisors and
lower lip were the areas in need of help. There was no
need for mandibular surgery in this case.
Fig. 17, A shows the pretreatment tracing of a
young female patient. The profile soft-tissue chin posi-
tion is 1.5” more prominent than in the Class III case
just considered. The treatment challenge in this case is
to eliminate the overjet and still have an adequate curl
to the upper lip. There is, however, excessive taper to
the upper lip or a lip strain factor of 4 mm. The wrist
plate and age indicate about 1 year of continued
growth, and the mandibular fotm would strongly sug-
gest a very favorable horizontal type of growth. There
is a skeletal convexity of 8 mm, but this is nicely com-
pensated by a 16 mm soft-tissue chin thickness.
In Fig. 17, B , considering these factors in the VTO,
we see the potential for an excellent orthodontic treat-
ment result without mandibular advancement surgery.
Certainly, with a 95” soft-tissue facial angle, there
was no indication for mandibular advancement in this
case.
In the retention tracing in Fig. 17, C the soft-tissue
analysis measurements, in my opinion, are all in the
good to excellent range. The superior sulcus mea-
surements are still good, as the overall form of the lip
has been helped so much by the elimination of lip strain
Am. J. Orthod.
April 1984
as the incisors were retracted and the mandible grew
horizontally. Arch length and treatment objectives dic-
tated that this be treated as an extraction case. Facial
photographs of this patient also confirm the wisdom of
nonsurgical orthodontic treatment in her case (Fig. 18).
The next case is shown in Figs. 19 and 20. In view
of the very straight soft-tissue profile, the excellent
mandibular form, the extreme retrusive inclination of
the lingually erupting lower incisors (especially the
lateral ones), and the very deep overbite, serial extrac-
tion was not indicated, even if permanent second pre-
molars might have to be extracted later.
This case was treated through the transitional denti-
tion. Fig. 19,A shows that all of the soft-tissue analysis
measurements contraindicated extractions. The lower
incisor relationship to the A-pogonion line which, in
my opinion, is the best guide that we have from hard-
tissue analysis regarding how far we might advance the
lower incisors and still have a stable result and a
healthy periodontium, also confirmed the decision to
proceed on a nonextraction basis. The lower arch
crowding was 5 mm. Note the 0” convexity figure, the
89” soft-tissue facial angle, the 8’ H angle, the good
soft-tissue chin thickness and form, and a mandibular
form that suggests horizontal growth.
In Fig. 19, B, following nonextraction treatment,
the soft-tissue analysis is even flatter, even though the
lower central incisors were tipped labially 2 mm and
the lateral incisor was tipped 7 mm. As anticipated,
mandibular growth was almost entirely horizontal, re-
sulting in a 91” soft-tissue facial angle (a 2” increase
during the period of treatment) and a 6” H angle (2”
decrease) associated with a -4 mm convexity figure.
The lower lip has adequate curl, but overall the patient
has an ultrastraight soft-tissue profile.
Fig. 19, C shows this case 8 years later. The patient
has experienced extreme forward rotational mandibular
growth. The soft-tissue facial angle has continued to
increase another 5” since retention to 96”. The con-
tinued vertical growth pattern of the lower teeth has
been up and back, again resulting in a lower incisor-
to-pogonion ratio far on the minus side. The maxillary
teeth have been carried more forward, so that the upper
lip curl as measured to a line perpendicular to Frankfort
plane is 3 mm, or 1 mm better than at retention. Again
this is the type of extreme skeletal concavity in which
measurements of the superior sulcus to the H line are
meaningless because of the extreme cant on the H line.
The convexity figure is - 8 mm, and the H angle is O”,
again illustrating how the H angle varies with the
skeletal convexity. In spite of his very prominent chin,
this patient has maintained a pleasing appearance. The
Volume 85
Number 4
Fig. 19. A Class I deep-overbite case
extraction because of the soft-tissue
lower lip again seems to lack a little lip support, but
the upper lip form and the overall expression are good.
In Fig. 21 is shown the case analysis tracing of an
l&year-old male patient who was sent to my office. He
had undergone serial extraction at about the same stage
of development as the previous case. The lower lip
support has been lost because of the serial extraction, in
my opinion.
A more typical example of a Class II double pro-
trusion problem and the resulting facial disharmonies
produced by the malocclusion is illustrated in the trac-
ing in Figs. 22 and 23. This patient is a white boy, 12
years 2 months of age, with good growth potential.
Even though the gonial angle of the mandible is on the
obtuse side, the skeletal convexity measurement of
only 3 mm and the soft-tissue facial angle of 87” indi-
cate that mandibular growth has been reasonably good
and, if vertical relationships are managed well during
the period of orthodontic treatment with an expected
male adolescent growth spurt, the patient has an ideal
potential as far as chin prominence is concerned. There
is a severe disharmony in the position of the lip. This is
Soft-tissue cephalometric anulysis 291
with a 5 mm lower arch length discrepancy. It was treated without
analysis findings.
quantitated in the analysis by measurements of the su-
perior sulcus which measures 10 mm to the line per-
pendicular to the Frankfort plane and 18 mm to the H
line. The lower lip was 6 mm outside the H line. The
soft-tissue VT0 in Fig. 22, C dictated that the lower
incisors be retracted 7 mm, even though an overjet of 9
mm was present and 3 mm of crowding was present in
the lower arch. A further consideration was a carious
exposure of the upper right first molar. The space and
anchorage requirements plus the condition of the first
molar dictated that the four first molars be extracted.
The cephalometric tracing the day of retention in
Fig. 22, B shows great improvement of lip positions.
The superior sulcus depth measured to the line perpen-
dicular to Frankfort has been reduced to 5 mm, and the
measurement to the H line has been reduced to 7 mm.
The lower lip measurement to the H line has been re-
duced to 2 mm. Chin prominence has improved, as
shown by the soft-tissue facial plane of W, indicating
excellent growth and control of vertical relationships
during orthodontic treatment. Skeletal convexity has
also been reduced to - 1 mm.
292 Holdaway Am. J. Orthod.
April 1984

Fig. 22. A severe Class II double protrusion. The VT0 showed

that it was necessary to extract four first molars to achieve an
adequate correction of the problem.

Again there are some delayed upper lip thickness

changes that often need more time to adapt. The origi-
nal basic lip thickness measurement has increased from
14.5 mm to 17 mm, and at the vermilion border from
11 mm to 17 mm. There are several processes going on
that explain this. First is the lip strain factor. While
Fig. 20. For legend, see Fig. 19. there was not a large amount of excess taper to the
upper lip, there was 2.5 mm in the lip strain factor. The
lips fail to adapt or retract as fast as teeth are retracted
in about half of our cases. The other factor that may be
influencing these measurements is a generalized thick-
ening of the upper lip that occurs in about 40% of males
with or without orthodontic treatment. Because further
lip adaptive changes are expected and because favor-
able mandibular growth is anticipated, improvement
toward more harmonious lip contours and relationships
is expected. In Fig. 22, C is a copy of the VT0 for this
patient. These are tremendous profile changes that
we set out to accomplish in some of our orthodontic
cases.
One does not have to be a psychologist to know that
something very good has happened to this young man’s
self-image (Fig. 23). Truly, a liability has been re-
Fig. 21. Tracing of a case in which serial extractions were per- moved, so that his own natural talents and personality
formed when they were contraindicated. have developed normally.
Volume 85 Soft-tissue cephalometric analysis 293
Number 4

forward than in a straight or concave skeletal profile. A

Fig. 23. For legend, see Fig. 22.
SUMMARY
To summarize, the soft-tissue profile can vary in
many ways and still be in balance and harmony. There
is a wide range of acceptability regarding soft-tissue
chin position in the profile. Both the lips and the chin
should line up near the H line, but we need to look at
the upper lip from a different perspective or in its rela-
tion to a line perpendicular to the Frankfort plane and
tangent to the vermilion border to be certain that we are
planning the best possible lip support for the case at
hand. The H angle, allowing a few degrees for soft-tis-
sue thickness variability, must increase as the basic
skeletal convexity increases, and as the convexity in-
creases, the lower incisors will need to be left farther
thick integumental covering in the chin area can also
effectively align the lower facial profile where lower
incisors are farther forward than we are accustomed to
seeing them. This principle can also be applied by sur-
gically moving the bony chin forward until the three
key soft-tissue points line up. Because there are wide
variations in skeletal convexity, standardizing the posi-
tion of the lower incisor to its apical base support as
measured in the Frankfort mandibular incisor angle
fails to recognize that upper incisors can be retracted
too far, leaving a “streamlined” upper lip which is not
esthetically pleasing. Locating the lower incisor in re-
lation to the expected point A to pogonion line is
somewhat better but still fails to recognize the wide
range of variability in the thickness of the lips and
soft-tissue chin. We must also guard against “dishing”
those cases having good facial balance with quite nor-
mal skeletal convexity and only 5 mm or 6 mm of lower
arch length discrepancy.
Finally, it is completely practical as a treatment-
planning procedure to approach the proposed ortho-
dontic changes from a soft-tissue analysis perspective,
making changes only to the point where the best possi-
ble soft-tissue profile is established, and then compute
the tooth movement necessary to develop ideal profile
relationships. The visualized treatment objective, or
VTO, is the vehicle that I use to accomplish this.
REFERENCES
1. Holdaway RA: A soft-tissue cephalometric analysis and its use in
orthodontic treatment planning. Part I. AM J ORTHOD 84: l-28,
1983.
2. Ricketts RM: Cephalometric synthesis. AM J ORTHOD 46: 647-
673, 1960.
3. Jacobsen A, Sadowsky PL: A visualized treatment objective. J
Clin Orthod 14: 554-57 1, 1980.
Reprint requests to:
Dr. Reed A. Holdaway
1275 N. University
Provo, UT 84601

ERRATUM
In “A Soft-Tissue Cephalometric Analysis and Its Use in Orthodontic Treatment Plan-
ning. Part I ” by Holdaway, which appeared on pages 1 to 28 of the July, 1983, issue of
the JOURNAL, the top and bottom portions of two illustrations were inadvertently trans-
posed. In Fig. 9 the bottom tracing should have been part A and the top tracing part B . In
Fig. 29 the bottom figure is the malocclusion tracing and the top one is the retention
tracing.