The effect of aging on lip dimensions: a three-dimensional evaluation in a healthy group

Aim: This study aims to assess how aging affects the morphology of the lips. Materials and methods: A group of 37 healthy white Caucasian adults participated in the study. The participants were divided into two age groups: young adults (10 women, 11 men, aged 21 to 34 years. mean age 26) and older adults (9 women, 7 men: aged 48 to 61 years, mean age 53.) Inclusion criteria comprise complete maxillary and mandibular dental arches. Angle class I, and 0VJ<5mm. Exclusion criteria included a history of craniofacial surgery or trauma, congenital anomalies, periodontal disease. and caries. Impressions of bath extra-oral (cutaneous) and intra-oral (mucosal) tip surfaces were obtained and cast in dental stone. Each cast was digitized and reconstructed using NURBS (Non-Uniform Rational B-Spline) curves. Data on vermilion surface area, lip volume. and lip thickness were collected, and comparisons were made using ANOVA tests. Results and Conclusions: Across alt measurements, men exhibited larger dimensions compared to women. Moreover, labial dimensions were found' to decrease with age. Statistically significant differences were observed between genders and age groups (Vermilion areas: upper lip: young men 501 mm2; young women 467 mm2; old men 432 mm2; old women 434 mm2; Iower lip: young men 569 mm2; young women 491 mm2; old men 471 mm2; old women 401 mm2 (sex, age. p<0001). Volumes: upper lip: young men 2390 mm3; young women 1743 mm3; old men 2148 mm3; old women 1866 mm3 (age, p=0.012); Iower lip: young men 2902 mm3; young women 1764 mm3; old men 1983 mm3; old women 1567 mm3 (sex, age, p<0.005). Mean lip thickness: young women 10.9 mm; young men 12.9 mm; old women 8.5 mm; old men 10.5 mm (sex, age, p<0.05). Even in healthy individuals with full dentition, aging leads to noticeable changes in facial soft tissues, particularly in the dimensions of the lips. Notably, a significant decrease in labial dimensions occurs after the fifth decade of life, particularly evident in the Iower lip. Further research is warranted to deepen our understanding of facial changes associated with aging.