Evaluation of facial pattern in black brazilian subjects

ABSTRACT

Black subjects present craniofacial characteristics that differ from other ethnic groups. Thus, there is a need for studies that allow proper diagnostics for this specific group. This study aimed to evaluate the facial pattern in young Black Brazilian subjects by FMA and ôYõ-axis cephalometric measurements. The sample comprised the lateral cephalograms of 37 Black untreated young Brazilian subjects of both genders (16 males and 21 females), aged from 10 to 14 years, all from Piracicaba, São Paulo, Brazil and surroundings; their occlusion was excellent by clinical standards, and they have never undergone orthodontic treatment. Following statistical analysis of data, it was observed no significant difference in facial pattern ratios between genders (FisherÆs exact test; p = 0.1596), but the prevailing facial pattern was mesofacial, followed by dolicofacial. Brachifacial pattern was absent in this sample. The mesofacial pattern was prevalent among females, and both mesofacial and dolicofacial patterns were equally distributed among males.