Facial Cephalometric Evaluation According to Tweed Analysis

Abstract

SUMMARY Objective: this present research aims to evaluate the cephalometric standard of a group of Brazilians in comparison to the standard values suggested by Tweed cephalometric analysis. Sexual dimorphism was also evaluated, comparing averages obtained between male and female. Material and Methods: Samples were obtained from 40 teleradiographies, lateral standard and grouped according to gender, each one with 20 individuals. Radiographies were submitted to Tweed computerized cephalometric analysis using the Radiocef 2.0® Program. The obtained values were submitted to statistical treatment using a “Student t” test for independent samples considering p0.05. Results: The researched Brazilian samples turned out to possess a more convex profile than those found from the profiles of Tweed’s analysis. Besides making a distinction in view of a more vestibular inclination of lower incisors, results seemed to suggest a prevalence of horizontal growth on the analyzed Brazilian samples. Signs of sexual dimorphism were only found in linear measures, suggesting a facial morphology similar to both genders. Conclusion: The obtained results allow us to conclude the existence of significant statistical differences between linear and angular cephalometric dimensions, among individuals of different ethnic groups. Therefore, ethnicity must be an essential variance to be considered during the patient’s cephalometric evaluation. DESCRIPTORS Cephalometric Sexual dimorphism. Dental aesthetics.