Evaluation of Facial Soft Tissue Inheritance in Patients with Angle’s Class II and Class III Malocclusion Compared with Angle’s Class I Malocclusion in Patients Undergoing Orthodontic Treatment in Central India
Vaishnavi Kharade1*, Sidhu Rao Surya Voleti2, Ranjit Kamble3, Amit Reche4, Priyanka Paul Madhu5, Sumukh Nerurkar6, Vikrant Jadhav7
1Department of Public Health Dentistry, Sharad Pawar Dental College and Hospital, Datta Meghe Institute of Medical Sciences (Deemed to be University), Sawangi Meghe, Wardha 442001, Maharashtra, India.
2Associate Professor, Department of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, Sharad Pawar Dental College and Hospital, Datta Meghe Institute of Medical Sciences (Deemed to be University), Sawangi Meghe, Wardha 442001, Maharashtra, India.
3Head of Department, Department of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, Sharad Pawar Dental College and Hospital, Datta Meghe Institute of Medical Sciences (Deemed to be University), Sawangi Meghe, Wardha 442001, Maharashtra, India.
4Head of Department, Department of Public Health Dentistry, Sharad Pawar Dental College and Hospital, Datta Meghe Institute of Medical Sciences (Deemed to be University), Sawangi Meghe, Wardha 442001, Maharashtra, India.
5Assistant Professor, Department of Public Health Dentistry, Sharad Pawar Dental College and Hospital, Datta Meghe Institute of Medical Sciences (Deemed to be University), Sawangi Meghe, Wardha 442001, Maharashtra, India.
6Bachelor in Dental Surgery, Department of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, Sharad Pawar Dental College and Hospital, Datta Meghe Institute of Medical Sciences (Deemed to be University), Sawangi Meghe, Wardha 442001, Maharashtra, India.
7PhD Student, Maternal and Child Health, University of North Texas Health Science Centre, Fort Worth, Texas 76107, United States.
*Corresponding Author: Vaishnavi Kharade, Department of Public Health Dentistry, Sharad Pawar Dental College and Hospital, Datta Meghe Institute of Medical Sciences (Deemed to be University), Sawangi Meghe, Wardha 442001, Maharashtra, India.
https://doi.org/10.58624/SVOADE.2026.07.005
Received: January 06 2026
Published: January 28, 2026
Citation: Kharade V, Voleti SRS, Kamble R, Reche A, Madhu PP, Nerurkar S, Jadhav V. Modification of the Bilateral Sagittal Split Osteotomy (BSSO) Technique: Increased Predictability, with Oblique Bone Cut in the Mandibular Basal Cortex - A Technical Note. SVOA Dentistry 2026, 7:1, 20-37. doi: 10.58624/SVOADE.2026.07.005
Abstract
Background: Facial esthetics is a key determinant of orthodontic treatment outcomes and patient satisfaction. Although orthodontic correction primarily targets the dentoskeletal framework, post-treatment facial appearance is strongly influenced by soft-tissue morphology, which is partly governed by hereditary factors. Limited evidence exists on parent–offspring resemblance of facial soft tissues across different malocclusion patterns.
Aim: To evaluate parent–offspring resemblance of facial soft-tissue characteristics across Angle’s Class I, Class II, and Class III malocclusions using standardized photogrammetric analysis.
Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional observational study included 45 parent–offspring triads (father, mother, and offspring) aged 18–25 years for offspring and 40–55 years for parents, recruited from Central India. Participants were categorized into Angle’s Class I, II, or III malocclusion groups (n = 15 per group). Standardized frontal and profile facial photographs were obtained in natural head position. Linear, angular, and proportional soft-tissue parameters were identified using defined facial landmarks. Parent offspring resemblance was assessed using correlation coefficients, and heritability was estimated using Falconer’s approximation (h² ≈ 2r). Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05.
Results: Statistically significant parent–offspring correlations were observed for multiple soft-tissue parameters, with variation across malocclusion classes. Vertical facial proportions demonstrated stronger father–offspring correlations in Class I and Class II malocclusions, whereas lip prominence and chin-related parameters showed greater maternal resemblance in Class III malocclusion. Estimated heritability values varied across facial regions and malocclusion groups, indicating differential genetic influence on soft-tissue morphology.
Conclusion: Facial soft-tissue characteristics exhibit measurable parent–offspring resemblance that differs across Angle’s malocclusion classes. These findings suggest that hereditary soft-tissue traits may influence facial esthetic outcomes following orthodontic treatment and should be considered during diagnosis and treatment planning.
Keywords: Soft Tissue Correlation, Soft Tissue Thickness, Esthetics, Genetics, Orthodontics.
