1. Introduction
With growing awareness of facial and smile esthetics, most individuals seeking orthodontic treatment aim to improve both dental alignment and smile attractiveness. Evaluating the inclination of maxillary anterior teeth is thus a routine step in orthodontic planning to ensure proper positioning within the basal bone and in harmony with facial features. Specifically, assessing the inclination and position of the maxillary incisors (MI) is essential for treatment planning, monitoring progress, and achieving esthetic outcomes [
1,
2].
Maxillary incisors inclination can be evaluated using various reference lines and diagnostic tools, including lateral cephalograms, dental casts, and smiling profile photographs [
3,
4,
5,
6]. Regardless of the method, orthodontists must assess incisor inclination at the start, monitor it throughout treatment, and ensure an optimal final position for esthetics and function.
Cephalometric analysis remains a standard method for assessing MI inclination, typically by measuring the angle between the incisor axis (from incisal tip to apex) and planes such as: Sella-Nasion (SN), Frankfort Horizontal (FH), Palatal Plane (PP), A-Pogonion (A-Pog), N-A, N-Pog, a line perpendicular from Nasion through A-point, the maxillary occlusal plane, the bony orbit, and the interincisal angle [
7,
8,
9,
10]. These assessments must account for various influencing factors [
7,
8,
9,
10].
While much attention has been given to cephalometric incisor inclination, less is known about its relation to facial pattern, particularly facial axes. Ricketts’ analysis defines the facial axis (FA) as the angle between Ba-N and Pt-Gn lines, with a mean of 90° ± 3.5°, indicating mandibular growth direction [
7,
11]. Similarly, Downs’ growth axis (GA), formed by S-Gn and FH lines, reflects mandibular growth pattern, averaging 59.4° ± 3.8° [
7,
12]. Clinically, we have noted that ideally inclined maxillary incisors often appear nearly parallel to the facial axis.
The inclination of the maxillary incisors can also be assessed using facial profile photographs. One method uses forehead landmarks to evaluate the anteroposterior position of the maxillary central incisors in relation to the facial profile. It was found that 93% of individuals with harmonious profiles had their incisors positioned between the forehead’s FFA point and the glabella [
13]. This technique helps assess the correlation between forehead prominence and incisor inclination. Another approach evaluated the esthetic impact of maxillary incisor inclination using smiling profile photographs. Angular measurements were made relative to the true horizontal, the tangent to the labial surface of the maxillary central incisor, and the line joining subnasale (Sn) to soft tissue pogonion (Pg′), to determine the most esthetic inclination and its correlation with facial features [
14]. Similarly, another study examined the influence of labiolingual inclination of maxillary incisors on smile esthetics, using the same angular references—Sn/Pg′, the labial tangent, and true horizontal—to determine which inclinations were perceived as most esthetic in profile view [
15]. These photographic assessments offer valuable insight into the esthetic evaluation of maxillary incisor inclination and its impact on facial and smile attractiveness.
The objectives of this study were: 1- to assess whether maxillary incisor inclination and facial/growth axes differ before and after treatment across three vertical skeletal patterns (normodivergent, hypodivergent, hyperdivergent) using lateral cephalograms and smiling profile photographs. 2- To compare pre- and post-treatment changes in maxillary incisor inclination relative to facial and growth axes on both lateral cephalograms and smiling profile photographs.
The null hypotheses were that no significant differences exist in maxillary incisor inclination before and after treatment among the vertical or sagittal groups, and that no changes occur in incisor inclination relative to facial and growth axes on either cephalometric or photographic records.
Materials and Methods
This retrospective comparative study was approved by the Institutional Review Board at the American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon (OTO. AM.01).
Using an anticipated effect size (f2) of 0.02 (large) and a power level of 0.8 with three main predictors and a probability level of 0.05, the ideal sample size was calculated to be ???.
Patient records from the Department of Dentofacial Medicine at the American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon, were selected based on the following inclusion criteria: Chronological age above 16 years for females and above 18 years for males, and availability of lateral cephalometric radiographs taken both before and after orthodontic treatment (after appliance removal), as well as smiling profile photographs taken at the same two time points. Patients with craniofacial anomalies and/or a history of orthognathic surgery were excluded.
A total of 144 non-growing patients were included in the study (96 females, 48 males). Each had lateral cephalometric radiographs taken before and after orthodontic treatment in the same machine, acquired in natural head position at a standardized sagittal plane-to-film distance of 13 cm.
The 288 lateral cephalograms (144 at T1 and 144 at T2) were digitized using Dolphin Orthodontic software (Dolphin Imaging and Management Solutions, La Jolla, CA).
Various angular cephalometric measurements were performed on the digitized images to assess the inclination of the maxillary incisors relative to SN, PP, NA, NBa, and the true horizontal (H). Additionally, the inclinations of the facial and growth axes were measured with respect to NBa and true horizontal (H). Other variables recorded included the interincisal angle, IMPA, ANB, and MP/SN angles (
Figure 1).
The sample was divided into three groups based on the vertical pattern (MP/SN): Normodivergent group (27° <MP/SN <37°; n = 66); Hypodivergent group (MP/SN ≤ 27°; n = 35); Hyperdivergent group (MP/SN ≥ 37°; n = 43)
In addition, extraoral smiling profile photographs of the 144 patients were analyzed at two time points: baseline (T1) and at the end of treatment (T2). All profile photographs were taken with the patients positioned in their natural head position (NHP), defined as the upright, self-balanced posture that an individual naturally adopts in the absence of visual cues [
16].
Three angular measurements were assessed from the profile photographs (
Figure 2):
CCA-H: The angle between the clinical crown axis (CCA) and the horizontal reference line (H). The CCA is defined as the line extending from the incisal edge of the maxillary central incisor to the most prominent point on the labial surface of the crown.
CCA–Sn-Pg′: The angle between the CCA and the line connecting subnasale (Sn) to soft tissue pogonion (Pg′). The subnasale (Sn) is the deepest point at the junction of the nose and upper lip, where the nasal septum meets the upper cutaneous lip in the midsagittal plane. Soft tissue pogonion (Pg′) is the most anterior point on the chin.
CCA-V: The angle between the CCA and the true vertical (V). The true vertical represents the gravitational vertical.
If the CCA is positioned anterior to the Sn–Pg′ line or the vertical line, the angle is considered positive; if posterior, it is considered negative.
Statistical Analysis
Initially, a frequency distribution was generated for all variables to check for any potential outliers and perform data cleaning. Interrater reliability was assessed using the intraclass correlation coefficient.
To assess differences between T1 and T2, paired sample t-tests were used.
When groups were stratified based on the vertical MP/SN, the one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to test differences in variables between these groups followed by the post hoc Bonferroni test. The chi-square test was used to gauge bivariate associations between malocclusion and vertical patterns. Post hoc results for the chi-square test were calculated by extracting the adjusted residuals. For all parameters, two-sided P values were reported. P value < 0.05 was considered as statistically significant. All analyses were completed using IBM SPSS Statistics version 27 (IBM, released 2020, IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, version 27.0, Armonk, New York).
Results
Following data collection, a post-hoc power analysis was conducted using a medium effect size of 0.15, α=0.05, n=144 with 4 key predictors: divergence, upper incisor inclination, facial axis and growth axis. The power obtained was 0.97
A total of 66 participants were included in the normodivergent group (Normo), 35 in the hypodivergent group (Hypo), and 43 in the hyperdivergent group (Hyper). Each group was subdivided into T1 (initial) and T2 (follow-up) time points.
In the normodivergent group, no statistically significant differences were observed between T1 and T2 across all variables. Angular measurements related to maxillary incisor inclination (I/NA, I/PP, I/SN), sagittal skeletal relationship (ANB), facial and growth axis indicators, and dental parameters (MP/SN, IMPA, interincisal angle) remained stable over time (all p > 0.05) (
Table 1).
In the hypodivergent group, a significant increase in mandibular plane angle (MP/SN) was observed from 23.86° ± 4.31° to 25.30° ± 5.08° (p = 0.011), as well as a significant increase in mandibular incisor inclination (IMPA) from 96.01° ± 7.71° to 98.97° ± 8.86° (p = 0.014). Other parameters, including maxillary incisor inclination and skeletal axes, did not show statistically significant changes (p > 0.05) (
Table 1).
In the hyperdivergent group, no statistically significant differences were noted between T1 and T2 in maxillary incisor inclination (I/NA, I/PP, I/SN), facial/growth axis parameters, or mandibular plane angle (all p > 0.05), although a trend toward an increase in IMPA (p = 0.064) and decrease in interincisal angle (p = 0.074) was observed (
Table 1).
Maxillary incisor’s clinical crown angulation (CCA) as measured in the profile smile, including CCA/TV, CCA/Sn’, and CCA/H, did not exhibit statistically significant changes between T1 and T2 in any of the three skeletal divergence groups. In the normodivergent group, all three measurements remained relatively unchanged (e.g., CCA/TV: -4.74° ± 9.12° at T1 vs. -4.62° ± 6.84° at T2, p = 0.902). Similarly, in both the hypodivergent and hyperdivergent groups, changes over time were minimal and did not reach statistical significance (all p > 0.05) (
Table 2).
Comparison of Cephalometric Changes Among Skeletal Divergence Groups
To evaluate intergroup differences in cephalometric changes over time, delta (δ) was calculated (T2 – T1) for each variable, and then compared between different divergent groups.
Most variables showed no statistically significant differences between the normodivergent, hypodivergent, and hyperdivergent groups (
p > 0.05) (
Table 3). These included age change, maxillary incisor inclinations relative to NA, PP, SN, NBa, and H planes, as well as skeletal parameters such as ANB angle, growth and facial axes (relative to both NBa and H), and the interincisal angle.
However, two variables demonstrated statistically significant intergroup differences:
Facial axis to horizontal plane (Facial axis/H) showed a significant difference between groups (
p = 0.020). Post-hoc comparisons indicated a significant difference between the normodivergent and hyperdivergent groups (
p = 0.019), with no significant differences between the normodivergent and hypodivergent (
p = 1.000) or the hypodivergent and hyperdivergent groups (
p = 0.172) (
Table 3).
Mandibular plane angle relative to SN (MP/SN) also showed a significant difference among the groups (
p = 0.025). The difference between hypodivergent and hyperdivergent groups was statistically significant (
p = 0.021), whereas no significant differences were found between normodivergent and hypodivergent (
p = 0.197) or normodivergent and hyperdivergent groups (
p = 0.694) (
Table 3).
Correlations Between Maxillary Incisors Inclination and the Facial and Growth Axes Before (T1) and After (T2) Orthodontic Treatment
At T1, significant positive correlations were observed between the maxillary incisor clinical crown axis (CCA) and the facial axis/NBa in both hypodivergent (r = 0.44, p < 0.001) and normodivergent (r = 0.37, p < 0.001) groups, indicating a moderate alignment between incisor inclination and this skeletal reference in subjects with lower and average vertical facial patterns. Similarly, CCA also correlated significantly with the facial axis/H in the hypodivergent (r = 0.44, p < 0.001) and normodivergent (r = 0.30, p < 0.05) groups. In contrast, no significant correlations were found in the hyperdivergent group at T1. As for the G-axis/NBa, a weak but significant correlation was found only in the normodivergent group at T1 (r = 0.25, p < 0.05). At T2, a notable shift was observed in the hypodivergent group, where CCA/V showed a significant negative correlation with G-axis/NBa (r = –0.34, p < 0.05), and CCA/SnPg’ demonstrated a strong negative correlation (r = –0.52, p < 0.001). Additional negative correlations at T2 were seen between CCA/SnPg’ and G-axis/H in both the hypodivergent (r = –0.34, p < 0.05) and normodivergent (r = –0.27, p < 0.05) groups. The hyperdivergent group consistently showed no significant correlations at either time point. These findings suggest that the relationship between incisor inclination and skeletal axes is more pronounced in hypodivergent and normodivergent individuals, and that this association weakens or becomes inconsistent in hyperdivergent cases (
Table 4).
Discussion
The inclination of maxillary incisors plays a critical role in the smile esthetics, influencing both dental appeal and facial harmony. This study examined the effects of orthodontic treatment on maxillary incisor inclination in adults with normodivergent, hypodivergent, and hyperdivergent patterns. Results revealed that maxillary incisor inclination remained stable post-treatment across all groups, with no significant intra- or intergroup differences. These findings align with Hussels and Nanda [
17], who noted that when initial incisor angulation is within normative limits, it tends to remain unchanged. This likely reflects clinicians’ preference to preserve esthetic norms during treatment planning.
While incisor inclination was maintained, notable skeletal changes occurred, especially in mandibular plane angle (MP/SN) and lower incisor inclination (IMPA) among hypodivergent patients. This suggests a compensatory dentoalveolar response in low-angle cases, consistent with observations by Bishara and Jakobsen [
18] and supported by Assi et al., who reported that vertical patterns affect mandibular dynamics more than maxillary torque [
19].
From an esthetic standpoint, Naini et al. determined that an 85° maxillary incisor inclination to the true horizontal was most attractive, while inclinations over 105° were rated poorly [
20]. Albwardi et al. similarly found that labial inclinations beyond +15° reduced smile attractiveness [
15]. Ghaleb et al. reported orthodontists to be particularly sensitive to changes in incisor torque, more so than laypersons or general dentists [
14].
Smile esthetics is multifactorial. Cheng et al. and Palmares et al. emphasized the importance of overjet, gingival display, and facial proportions [
21,
22], while Flores-Mir et al. showed that laypeople’s perceptions are influenced by various dental and facial features [
23].
Although soft tissue parameters such as CCA/TV, CCA/Sn’, and CCA/H remained unchanged in our sample, soft tissue plays a central role in smile design. Sarver and Ackerman argued that adult soft tissue profiles are relatively stable, and skeletal changes may not significantly alter facial esthetics [
24]. Similarly, Cao et al. showed that excessive maxillary proclination negatively affects profile esthetics, despite minimal soft tissue adaptation [
2].
In borderline Class III cases, incisor inclination control is vital. Burns et al. and Troy et al. found that retroclination often defines the feasibility of non-surgical options [
25,
26]. Kau et al. reported variable inclination outcomes across skeletal classes [
27].
Growth and facial axes are cephalometric indicators of skeletal harmony. A forward-directed facial axis usually reflects a balanced Class I profile, while a vertically oriented growth axis suggests favorable horizontal development. Conversely, backward-rotated axes may reflect skeletal discrepancies, particularly in Class II or hyperdivergent patterns. Evaluating these axes aids in diagnosing jaw relationships and planning appropriate interventions, whether orthodontic or surgical. In hyperdivergent patients, characterized by clockwise growth and vertical excess, a significant difference in the Facial Axis/H relative to normodivergent individuals was observed, echoing findings by Schudy and Enlow on skeletal divergence and facial height [
28,
29]. Nevertheless, incisor inclination remained stable, underscoring the orthodontist’s emphasis on preserving facial esthetics by minimizing excessive compensation.
Minimal changes in interincisal angle were observed, consistent with Zierhut et al. who noted that adult orthodontic treatment tends to maintain existing anterior relationships when angulation is appropriate [
30]. Chirivella et al. similarly emphasized the esthetic impact of incisor positioning across facial types [
31].
Smile arc design further highlights the importance of incisor positioning. Sarver stressed its alignment with the lower lip, while Ackerman and Ackerman advocated for digital analysis to account for dynamic facial movements [
32,
33]. Optimal axial positioning supports occlusion, smile symmetry, lip support, and overall esthetics [
16,
34].
Our data showed significant correlations between maxillary incisor clinical crown axis (CCA) and skeletal reference planes, especially in hypodivergent and normodivergent adults. At T1, CCA was moderately correlated with the facial axis/NBa and facial axis/H in these groups, but not in hyperdivergent. After treatment (T2), these associations weakened, with hypodivergent patients showing new negative correlations, notably between CCA/SnPg’ and G-axis/NBa. Hyperdivergent individuals displayed no significant correlations at either time point, suggesting a decoupled relationship between dental and skeletal parameters in this group.
Conclusion
Maxillary incisor inclination appears largely unaffected by orthodontic treatment in adults, regardless of vertical growth pattern. However, skeletal reference planes may serve as reliable guides for incisor positioning in normo- and hypodivergent patients. In hyperdivergent cases, where skeletal alignment is less predictable, clinicians should rely more on soft tissue evaluation, smile analysis, and individualized esthetic goals. These findings reinforce the need for personalized treatment planning and caution against rigid reliance on cephalometric norms [
35].
Author Contributions
S.A.A. conception; design of the work; interpretation of data; have drafted the work and substantively revised the manuscript; have approved the submitted version. A.H. the acquisition, analysis, interpretation of data; substantively revised the manuscript; have approved the submitted version. R.P.K. the acquisition, analysis; substantively revised the manuscript; have approved the submitted version. A.M. conception; design of the work; interpretation of data; have drafted the work and substantively revised the manuscript; have approved the submitted version.
Funding
No funding was requested for this manuscript.
Ethics approval and consent to participate
We received the approval of the Institutional Review Board (IRB) to proceed with this research. The IRB ID is: OTO.AM.01. Consent to participate was deemed unnecessary. the study adhered to the Declaration of Helsinki.
Consent for publication
Not applicable.
Availability of data and materials
All data generated or analysed during this study are included in this published article.
Competing interests
The authors declare that they have no competing interest.
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