Evaluation of Facial Depth in Skeletal Class II Cases of Maxillary Origin: A Cephalometric Analysis

Abstract

Statement of problem: The literature currently lacks sufficient data on the correlation between the average facial depth distance and its relationship with the anterior facial height in individuals presenting with skeletal Class II malocclusion of maxillary origin.

Objective: This study aims to examine the extent of average facial depth in individuals with maxillary-based Class II malocclusion and to assess the correlation between average facial depth and anterior facial height.

Materials & Methods: The study included 712 individuals with Class III malocclusion, with 361 being female and 351 male. Cephalometric radiographs of the participants were used to identify the pogonion (Po), nasion (N), Frankfort Horizontal plane (FH), condylion (Co), and menton (Me) points. The distance from point Co projected onto the FH plane to point N (Co'-N') was determined as the facial depth distance, while the distance between points N and Me was considered the anterior facial height distance. Subsequently, the facial depth distances of all individuals were measured and ratioed with the anterior facial height distance to establish standardized ratios for maxillary-based Class II cases.

Results: The mean facial depth measurement (Coꞌ-Nꞌ) is 86±5mm, with a corresponding ratio to the anterior facial height (N-Me) of 69±5%. When categorized by facial morphology, this ratio was determined to be 67±4% for individuals with longer faces, 68±4% for those with average facial lengths, and 70±5% for individuals with shorter facial lengths.

Conclusions: Utilizing the Coꞌ-Nꞌ/N-Me ratio in cephalometric analysis could provide a fresh perspective on evaluating skeletal Class II malocclusions arising from maxillary development.