Evaluation of Facial Depth in Maxillary-Based Class III Individuals: A Cephalometric Study"

Abstract

Statement of problem: There is a lack of data in the literature regarding the relationship between the average facial depth distance and this distance with the anterior facial height in patients exhibiting skeletal class III malocclusion originating from the maxilla.

Objective: The aim of this study is to investigate the amount of average facial depth in maxillary-based Class III cases and to evaluate the relationship between average facial depth and anterior facial height.

Materials & Methods: The study comprised 592 individuals diagnosed with Class III malocclusion, of whom 281 were female and 311 were male. The pogonion (Po), nasion (N), Frankfort Horizontal plane (FH), condylion (Co), and menton (Me) points were marked on the cephalometric radiographs of the participants. The projection of point Co to point N on the FH plane (Co'-N') was defined as the facial depth distance, while the distance between N and Me was determined as the anterior facial height distance. Subsequently, the facial depth distances of all individuals were measured. The facial depth distance was then ratioed with the anterior facial height distance in an attempt to reach standard ratios for maxillary-based Class III cases.

Results: A The average facial depth distance (Coꞌ-Nꞌ) is 83 ± 7 mm. The ratio of facial depth distance (Coꞌ-Nꞌ) to anterior facial height (N-Me) (Coꞌ-Nꞌ/N-Me) is determined to be 68 ± 5%.-When this ratio is evaluated separately according to facial heights; it is determined as 66 ± 4% in long-faced individuals, 67 ± 4% in normal-faced individuals, and 71 ± 5% in short-faced individuals.

Conclusions: The use of this ratio in cephalometric film analysis may bring a new perspective to the evaluation of maxillary Class III malocclusions.