Craniofacial morphologic parameters in a Persian population: an anthropometric study.

Limited data are available regarding the reference ranges of facial proportions of the Persian population in Iran. This study aimed to establish the reference range of craniofacial anthropometric measurements in an adult Iranian population. On 100 individuals (men = women), aged 18 to 30 years with normal faces and occlusions, 34 linear and 7 angular measurements as well as 24 indices were calculated. The difference of measurements between men and women were evaluated by paired t-test. The data were compared with the norms of North American whites using 1-sample t-test. The subjects belonged to 5 ethnic groups (57% from Fars, 14% from Kord, 11% from Azari, 10% from Gilaki-Mazani, and 2% from Lor). All head measurements were greater in men except for the head index and the head height. The subjects had leptoprosopic faces. The intercanthal width was almost one third of the biocular width and greater than the eye fissure length. Although the nose width of women was significantly smaller, both sexes had leptorrhine noses. The chin height and lower chin height were greater in men. In comparison with North American whites, considerable differences were found regarding head height and width, biocular width, nose height, face height, mouth width, and upper chin height. In conclusion, the reference range of craniofacial anthropometric measurements established for the Iranian population might be efficiently used for esthetic treatments.

A novel approach in treatment of open bite: a case report.

This case illustrates the treatment of a 12-year-old boy with an open bite, a slight Class II jaw relationship, Class I molar relationship, and a steep lower occlusal plane. The patient needed a surgical procedure due to the severity of openbite; however the surgery option was rejected. Therefore, he was treated by a Hyrax, fixed tongue appliance, posterior bite plate, reverse chin cup and fixed orthodontics. His second premolars and lower second molars were extracted during treatment. The active treatment lasted for 34 months after which favorable correction of the malocclusion was observed. The SNA angle increased by 4 degrees and the GoGn-Sn decreased by 6 degrees. This patient was treated nonsurgically and favorable profile and occlusion were obtained.

Soft-tissue profile characteristics in children with beta thalassaemia major.

OBJECTIVES: To compare soft-tissue profile characteristics of patients with beta thalassaemia major (BTM) with a group of non-thalasseamic subjects with a similar skeletal pattern. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The material for this cross-sectional retrospective study consisted of lateral cephalograms of 40 BTM patients (23 males, 17 females, aged 9.5 ± 0.97 years). These were compared with lateral cephalograms of a control group of 40 non-thalasseamic subjects (23 males, 17 females, aged 11.0 ± 0.87 years) who had similarities with the study group in the following cephalometric variables: SNA (°), SNB (°), ANB (°) and anterior face height (N-Me). Overall, 22 linear and angular soft-tissue cephalometric variables were measured. RESULTS: Horizontal soft-tissue measurements, except for the thickness at B point (B-B'), were larger relative to non-thalasseamic subjects; particularly showing a statistically larger mean values for the following variables: soft-tissue thickness at Pronasale (ANS-Prn, p < 0.01), Subnasale (ANS-Sn, p < 0.01), point A (A-A', p < 0.01) and at the Pogonion point (Pg-Pg', p < 0.05). Compared to controls, BTM patients showed significantly larger (p < 0.05) mean values for the anterior nose length (Prn-Prn', p < 0.01) and lower nose height (Prn-Sn, p < 0.05). Variables that represented the lip profile, including the nasolabial angle, did not significantly differ from controls. The average values for the mid-face (N-ANS), posterior face height (S-Go) and the inclination of maxillary incisors to the SN plane were significantly larger (p < 0.01) in BTM patients. CONCLUSION: The soft-tissue profile differences in BTM patients may have implications for their future orthodontic or orthognathic management. Future studies can investigate the 3D soft-tissue changes and the possible contributing factors.