A comparison of craniofacial and dentoalveolar features in person with skeletal class I and different vertical patterns

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of different vertical patterns (hyperdivergent-normodivergent-hypodivergent) on craniofacial morphologic characteristics in subjects with skeletal Class I malocclusions. The study sample consisted of 90 patients with a normal sagittal skeletal pattern divided into three groups according to their vertical growth pattern: hyperdivergent (15 women, 15 men; mean age 19.40±2.78), normodivergent (15 women, 15 men; 20.49±3.27) and hypodivergent (15 women, 15 men; 20.41±2.01) groups. Lateral cephalometric records were analyzed with the help of the Nemoceph and AutoCAD program. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) and post hoc least significant difference tests (Tukey) were performed to evaluate the changes with craniofacial morphologic characteristics among groups. Airway volume (p≤0.05) was found to be significantly higher in the hypodivergent subjects. Maxillary anterior dentoalveolar height (p≤0.05) was found to be significantly higher in the hyperdivergent subjects. Pg-Pg', Me-Me', Gn-Gn' soft tissue thickness and B-B'', Pg-Rgn symphisis measurements were found to be decreased the hyperdivergent subjects in comparison to hypodivergent subjects. Cranioservical angles (p≤ 0.05) measurements were found to be significantly lower in the hypodivergent subjects. Antegonial notch depth was found to be decreased the hypodivergent subjects in comparison to hyperdivergent subjects. Sella turcica length and depth (p≤0.05) were found to be significantly higher in the hypodivergent subjects. As a consequence, vertical pattern affect craniofacial morphologic characteristics. Hyperdivergent subjects have more vertical morphologic characteristics than hypodivergent subjects. To obtain a ideal treatment, the effect of different vertical patterns on craniofacial morphologic characteristics should be considered during orthodontics treatment planning.