Lateral Cephalometric Norms: An Overview

Background: Lateral cephalometric is used in diagnosis, treatment planning and stability of
orthodontic treatment. This research aimed to search the literature and formulate cephalometric norms
for lateral cephalometric measurements of Emirates adults and to study gender differences.
Methods: Lateral cephalometric radiographs of 176 Emirates adults, 91 males and 85 females, were
selected according to the following criteria; an age range between 19 to 25 years, esthetically pleasing
and harmonious faces with balanced and acceptable profiles and occlusions, normal skeletal and
dental relationship, all permanent teeth present and no history of orthodontic treatment or facial
trauma. The mean values and standard deviations of 91 angular and 21 linear cephalometric variables
were calculated using the Dolphin version 10.5 software package. The resulting norms for Emirates
male and female groups were compared using a student t-test.
Results: Several statistically significant gender differences were noticeable. Skeletally, Emirates males
showed significantly greater (p < 0.001) total, anterior, and posterior cranial base lengths as well as
longer facial heights, greater SGn-FH (°), ANS Xi PM (°), and FH/MP (°) angles than females. In
addition, Emirates males had significantly greater (p < 0.001) Co-A (mm), Co-Gn (mm), and
significantly greater (p < 0.05) Pog-N vert (mm) than females. Dentally, Emirates males had
significantly greater (p < 0.05) UI-SN (°) and U1-NA (°), U1-NA (mm), and L1-NB (mm) (p < 0.001)
than females. For soft tissue measurements there were significant gender differences (p < 0.001) for
all angular and linear measurements except for lower lip to E-plane and nose prominence
measurements which have no significant gender difference. Emirates males revealed greater
measurements than females except for soft tissue convexity, Z-angle, and both upper and lower lips
protrusion which were significantly greater in Emirates females.
Conclusions: The use of specific ce- phalometric standards for Emirates adults, separate for gender,
seems to be justified. It is appropriate to put these cephalometric norms into daily orthodontic practice
when Emirates adults are being treated.