Skeleto-dental features among a sample of Saudi female children compared to North American standards: A cephalometric study.

Abstract

This cross-sectional observational retrospective study aimed at assessing the cephalometric skeleto-dental features of class I, II, and III skeletal relationships of Saudi female school children samples and comparing the results to the established North American Caucasian cephalometric standards. The sample consisted of 205 retrospective lateral cephalometric radiographs of female school children. The age range of the subjects was between 10 and 13 years with a mean age of 11 ± 1 years. Several cephalometric and constructed points were identified. Angular, linear, and proportional measurements were obtained and analyzed. The skeleto-dental features of class II and class III were compared to class I of this sample then compared with the established North American Caucasian population. Different angular, linear, and proportional variables were investigated. Descriptive statistics and student t-test were used for data analysis. The distribution of the skeletal relationship revealed that 68.3% of the sample showed class I relationship, 16.1% class II, and 15.6% class III. The result indicates significant differences between the different classes. A greater tendency towards class II facial pattern and more convex profile among Saudis were detected in the present study compared to Caucasians. Furthermore, The dentoalveolar relationship results showed more Bi-maxillary protrusion among Saudi females compared to the North American Caucasians. The results obtained can be of great value in distinguishing the various skeleto-dental features in the different skeletal classes among the Saudi females and in the clinical diagnosis and treatment planning. Furthermore, the results of the study can also serve as a base-line for future investigations in Saudi Arabia.