Assessment of Facial Depth in Skeletal Class III Cases with Mandibular Prognathism: A Cephalometric Study: Assessment of Facial Depth in Skeletal Class III Cases with Mandibular Prognathism

Abstract

Statement of problem: In patients with mandibular prognathism and skeletal Class III malocclusion, there is a lack of data regarding the relationship between average facial depth and anterior facial height.

Objective: The objective of this study is to determine the average facial depth in patients with mandibular-origin skeletal Class III malocclusion and to investigate the relationship between this measurement and anterior facial height.

Materials & Methods: A total of 626 individuals with Class III malocclusion were included in the study (292 females, 335 males). On cephalometric radiographs of the participants, the pogonion (Po), nasion (N), Frankfort Horizontal plane (FH), condylion (Co), and menton (Me) points were marked. The anterior facial height of the patients was calculated, and all participants were divided into three groups: long, average, and short. The distance where Co and N intersected the FH was defined as the 'facial depth distance' (Co-N). Finally, the ratio of the facial depth distance (Co-N) to the anterior facial height (N-Me) was calculated.

Results: A significant difference was observed in the mean ratio of Co'-N' to N-Me between long-faced individuals and short-faced individuals (P < 0.05). The ratio of the facial depth distance (Co'-N') to the anterior facial height (N-Me) was found to be 69% ± 5. This ratio was determined to be 68% ± 4 in long-faced individuals, 69% ± 4 in average-faced individuals, and 72% ± 5 in short-faced individuals.

Conclusions: The ratio between Co-N and N-Me may provide a new perspective in the evaluation of mandibular-origin Class III malocclusions.