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Objective: To evaluate the association between soft tissue at the chin (STC) thickness and mandibular divergence. Materials and Methods: Nongrowing patients seeking orthodontic treatment (n 5 190; 113 women and 77 men), who had an average age of 26.94 years (range 5 18.10-53.50 years), were stratified in four subgroups based on cephalometric mandibular plane inclination to anterior cranial base (MP/SN): low 5 MP/SN # 27u (n 5 48); medium-low 5 27u , MP/SN # 32u (n 5 60); medium-high 5 32u , MP/SN , 37u (n 5 37); and high 5 MP/SN $ 37u (n 5 45). The STC thicknesses were measured at pogonion (Pog), gnathion (Gn), and menton (Me). Group differences were evaluated with two-way analysis of variance and Student's t-test. The Pearson product moment correlation gauged associations between parameters. Results:The STC values were greater in men than women (P , .02) and were smaller in the high group (7.47 6 2.42 mm) than in all other groups at Gn (mean values 5 9.00 mm , STC , 9.58 mm; P , .001) and at Me (high group 5 6.30 6 1.89 mm; other groups 5 7.15 mm , STC, 7.57 mm; P 5 .011). Conclusion: The STC is thinner at Gn and Me in hyperdivergent facial patterns, apparently in contrast to Pog. This differential thickness warrants focused research as it implies that it is possible (1) to vertically grow hard tissues impinging on the inferior soft tissue envelope in patients with severe hyperdivergence and (2) to plan for genioplasty in such patients when more advancement of the chin might be needed to compensate for the increased vertical height. (Angle Orthod. 2014;84:708-714.)

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Airway measurements were smallest in children ≤ 6 years and those presenting severe hyperdivergent pattern, which denoted the most severe airway obstruction. The findings suggest airway clearance before age 6 in the most severely affected children, but follow-up research on actual adenoidectomies in younger children is needed to determine guidelines.

The results suggest a variable trend in the rugae response to expansion, likely reflecting the constitutional asymmetric pattern or nature of pairs of rugae.