Vol. 11, Issue 4, Part C (2025)

Objective: This study seeks to determine the relationship between facial biotype, lip profile and the probability of canine retention in orthodontic patients, as well as to evaluate the prevalence of this condition as a function of gender and age.

Materials and Methods: Clinical histories and panoramic and lateral skull x-rays of 95 patients of the orthodontic postgraduate program at the Torreón Unit Faculty of Dentistry were used. The Ricketts VERT index was used to classify facial biotypes (dolichocephalic, brachycephalic, mesocephalic) and the Ricketts aesthetic line to assess the lip profile (recto, protrusive, retrusive). The data obtained were analyzed using the Minitab 17 statistical package, applying the chi-square test to determine significant associations between the variables studied.

Results: A total of 95 patients were analyzed, with a predominant distribution of the female gender 72.6% (69 patients) over the male 27.4% (26 patients). And an average age of 10 to 19 years, with a mean of 13.63 years and a standard deviation of 5.11 years. 33.7% of the patients had a dolichocephalic or brachycephalic facial biotype, while 32.6% showed a normocephalic biotype. Regarding the lip profile, 55.8% had normal lips, 14.7% retrusive lips and 29.5% protrusive lips.

Conclusions: In this study, 95 patients were analyzed, with a predominance of women (72.6%) and an average age of 13.63 years, coinciding with the common age group in orthodontic treatments. An equal distribution was observed between the dolichocephalic and brachycephalic facial biotypes (33.7% each), and 55.8% of the patients had normal lips. However, no significant association was found between facial biotype and lip profile. The results underscore the need for further investigation of other factors influencing canine retention and facial relationships.