RESUMO
The aim of this study was to evaluate the variation in facial soft tissue thickness in young north eastern Brazilian individuals according to gender and skeletal class. Measurements were obtained from digitized teleradiographs of 300 children, aged from 8 to 12 years, using the Sidexis Xg program. Data of mean, standard deviation, maximum and minimum soft tissue thickness values of the faces of Angle's Class I, II and III individuals, were evaluated. The results demonstrated that there was no difference in soft tissue thickness among the skeletal classes for most of anthropological points. For the Class I, statistical differences were found (P < 0.05) between the genders in the rhinion point, subnasal and upper lip. It was concluded that there was no difference in soft tissue thickness among the skeletal classes, except between Class II and III for the points: Stomion, Bottom lip and Pogonion, allowing definition of parameters of this population for the purpose of facial reconstruction.