Upper Profile

The upper profile refers to the forehead and the bridge of the nose as seen on a lateral (side-view) photograph, spanning roughly from the hairline down to the base of the nose. Although orthodontic treatment cannot reshape the forehead or the nose itself, this region sets the visual "starting point" of the profile — every other soft-tissue judgment (nose projection, lip position, chin balance) is made relative to it, so it is the first thing to register during facial analysis.

Evaluating the upper profile helps the clinician understand whether an apparent dental or jaw discrepancy is a true skeletal problem or partly an illusion created by forehead shape or nasal size. For example, a flat or retruded forehead can make a normal nose look more prominent, while a strongly bulging forehead can make an otherwise adequate chin look weak by comparison.

What It Evaluates

On the lateral photo, the clinician looks at how the forehead slopes (inclination), the smooth prominence between the eyebrows (glabella), and the size/prominence of the nasal bridge and dorsum. These structures define the upper facial third and provide the starting reference points used later to judge the mid and lower thirds of the profile.

Learn more: Harmonizing soft tissue subnasale and chin position in a forehead-based framework: interracial commonalities and differences between Asian and Caucasian females — PMC

Key References / Landmarks

  • Trichion (Tr) — the hairline; marks the upper boundary of the forehead and the top of the "upper third" of the face.
  • Glabella (G / G') — the smooth, prominent area between the eyebrows where the forehead transitions into the nasal bridge; it is the boundary between the upper and middle facial thirds and one of the three points used to measure the overall facial convexity angle.
  • Forehead inclination — the slope of the frontal contour from trichion to glabella; can be flat, average, or bulging, and influences how prominent the nose and midface appear by comparison.
  • Radix (nasal root) — the depression just below the glabella where the nasal bridge begins; sets the starting depth of the nasal dorsum.
  • Subnasale (Sn) — the point where the base of the nose (columella) meets the upper lip; it closes out the upper profile region and opens the middle facial third.

Learn more: Rhinoplasty Chapter | The Radix — Dr. Steiger

Clinical Interpretation

Because braces and aligners move teeth and, at most, indirectly influence the surrounding soft tissue, the forehead and nose are treated as fixed anatomical "background" against which the rest of the profile is judged. A normal overall facial profile angle (glabella–subnasale–pogonion) falls roughly between 165° and 175°; values outside this range point toward a skeletal discrepancy that involves more than just tooth position. Recognizing an atypical forehead or nasal shape early prevents the clinician from over- or under-treating the dentition in an attempt to "fix" something that is actually a skeletal or soft-tissue feature of the upper face, and it also helps set realistic expectations with the patient about what orthodontic treatment can and cannot change in their profile.

Learn more: Facial Convexity Angle: How It's Measured & What Shapes Your Profile — Qoves Studio

References