Objective: The aims of this study were to evaluate the skeletal status particular to Hungarian adolescents with malocclusion (population norms) and to analyse whether significant cephalometric differences exist between this measurements and Ricketts´ standards for Caucasian population.
Methods: Digital cephalograms of 1000 children (442 males, 558 females) were analysed. Patients were recorded with diagnosed malocclusion in permanent dentition and no previous orthodontical treatment. Age ranged between 12y4m and 18y1m (mean 15y6m). The indexes of craniofacial structures were analysed by Ricketts’ method. The basic statistical analyses for different cephalometric variables were obtained using the SPSS 11.0 for Windows database analysing program.
Results: From 30 cephalometric parameters the followings were emphasised in the present study:
Cranio-facial deflection showed a mean value of 26.75º. This was expectedly similar with the Ricketts´s mean value
The facial convexity ranged from –10.43 to 10.81 mm with a mean of 0.112 mm, which meets the standards..
Facial axis angle presented a minimum of 75.8 and a maximum of 101.8º with an 89.44 mean (normal: 90º).
The mandibular angle was steeper, having a mean of 20.5º, resulting from the range of 0.2(minimum) and 53.7º (maximum). This was a decreased value regarding to the Ricketts´s norm of 27.2+/-4.5º.
Conical angle was more opened then expected.
Conclusion: The study showed that the measurements were in highly percentage coincident when compared with their normative data established as normal values by Ricketts. Applicability of Ricketts´s norms for middle European adolescent population is proved by the study.