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Introduction: The form and the size of a dental arch are products of the configuration and the naturally established balance of the jaw, alveolar bone, and muscles. We investigated which arch dimensions mostly discriminate particular dentoalveolar classes and sexes., Methods: Plaster dental casts were collected from 137 white adolescent subjects (71 girls, 66 boys) aged between 15 and 18 years (mean, 16.0 ± 1.2 years) with Class I (43 subjects: 24 girls, 19 boys), Class II (50 subjects: 28 girls, 22 boys), and Class III (44 subjects: 19 girls, 25 boys) malocclusions. Casts were scanned with the ATOS II SO (small objects) scanner (GOM mbH, Braunschweig, Germany) and measured with ATOS Viewer software (version 6.0.2; GOM mbH)., Results: The major discriminating factors of the particular dentoalveolar classes are the mandibular canine width/depth ratio and the maxillary molar width/depth ratio, which explain 82.8% of the total variability (P <0.001). Class III subjects with the widest and shallowest frontal segment of the mandibular arch and the posterior segment of maxillary arch are clearly distinguished from Class II subjects whose abovementioned segments are the deepest and narrowest. Class I subjects are more similar to Class II than to Class III subjects. The most homogenous are Class III subjects, with 61.1% of them correctly classified, followed by Class II (57.8%) and Class I (52.4%). Sex differences are significant in linear measurements, but not in ratios., Conclusions: Variability of dental arch dimensions and forms is a common characteristic of all dentoalveolar classes. Maxillary arch form is more distinguishing in the posterior segment, and mandibular arch form is more distinguishing in the anterior segment. Class III patients have the most detectable arch form, and Class I the least detectable arch form., (Copyright © 2011 American Association of Orthodontists. Published by Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved.)

This study was carried out on 40 lateral cephalograms of Croatian subjects aged 12 to 15 years with dental and skeletal class I. The purpose of this investigation was to determine the means and standard deviations of the soft tissue parameters in the sample of Croatian population exhibiting dental and skeletal class I and to find the correlations between investigated parameters. The investigation included a total of 11 variables of which 4 were angular and 7 linear. Linear and angular measurements were made to the nearest 0.5 mm or 0.5 degree with dial calipers and a standard protractor with 0.5 degree increments. Data from this investigation could serve to determine the norms of 11 soft tissue variables for Croatian population with dental and skeletal class I, and to define craniofacial morphology of the soft tissue profile in patients with normal occlusion. Significant correlations were found between thickness of upper and lower lip, and between the distance of upper and lower lip to the Ricketts esthetic line, and Holdaway angle.

An aesthetically pleasing and balanced face is one of the objectives of orthodontic treatment. An understanding of the soft tissues and their normal ranges enables a treatment plan to be formulated to normalize the facial traits for a given individual. The aim of this study was to evaluate the variables defining the soft tissue facial profile of a Croatian (Caucasian) sample, by means of angular measurements typically used for aesthetic treatment goals. Additionally, gender differences were tested. The soft tissue facial profiles of 110 dental students (52 males and 58 females) between 23 and 28 years of age at the University of Zagreb, Croatia, with a dental Class I occlusal relationship and harmonious soft tissue profile were studied by means of standardized photographs taken in the natural head position (NHP). To compare males and females, a Student's t-test was used. The reliability of the method was analysed using Dahlberg's formula. There were distinct gender differences. All angles were larger in females: nasofrontal (G-N-Nd, females = 139.11 degrees; males 136.38 degrees; P = 0.030), nasolabial (Cm-Sn-Ls, females = 109.39 degrees; males = 105.42 degrees; P = 0.018), mentolabial (Li-Sm-Pg, females = 134.5 degrees; males = 129.26 degrees; P = 0.019), and nasal tip angle (N-Prn-Cm, female = 84.12 degrees; male = 79.85; P = 0.001). The greatest variability was found for mentolabial angle. The findings demonstrate a distinct profile trait for female Croatian patients compared with male subjects.

One hundred and ten subjects (52 males and 58 females) between 23-28 years of age with dental Class I occlusal relationship, good soft tissue profile, and Caucasian ethnicity were selected from the population of dental students at the University of Zagreb, Croatia. The soft tissue facial profiles were digitally analyzed using linear (11 vertical and 14 horizontal) measurements made with standardized photographic records, taken in natural head position, to determine average soft tissue facial profile for males and females. The application of Student t-test showed gender dimorphism in most parameters of the labial, nasal. and chin areas. Almost all vertical variables were larger in the males, except the length of the nasal tip, which was larger in females. In the height of the vermilion, no gender dimorphism was observed. The females exhibited shallower labial sulci than the males and their chins were at least as prominent as those of the males. This study showed that male chins are not absolutely more prominent than female chins, but only appear to be such because their labial sulci are deeper.

Correlation between the cranial base flexure with the sagital and vertical positions of both jaws has been analysed on 180 radiographs of eugnathic probands and 256 radiographs of patients with various malocclusion forms. Radiographs were analysed by conventional cephalometric procedures determining maxillar rotation, mandibular rotation, sagittal position of the maxilla, sagittal position of the mandible, and cranial base flexure. A significant correlation between the degree of cranial base flexure and facial prognathism was found. The correlation coefficients were higher in eugnathic probands than in those with malocclusions. Regression analysis defined three basic types of sagittal bimaxillar relations: orthognatism, retrognatism and prognatism.

Earlier research in craniofacial morphology of the inhabitants of Mainz (Germany) and Zagreb (Croatia), who represent the populations of wider areas, have shown some roentgen-cephalometric differences. The aim of this study is to determine the craniofacial morphologic differences of these populations in three dimensions. The sample consists of 200 adult examinees, male and female respectively, inhabiting the mentioned areas. The sample has been chosen so that the examinees with prominent craniofacial anomalies have been excluded. Twenty three craniofacial parameters with the usual anthropometric instruments have been measured. The data have been processed by using elementary descriptive statistics and discriminant analysis. The results have shown that in Mainz examinees longer and narrower heads and higher faces in comparison with Zagreb examinees, predominate. Significant differences in forehead widths and bipupilar distances have been found.