Facial height comparison in young white and black Brazilian subjects with normal occlusion.

INTRODUCTION

In this study, we aimed to cephalometrically compare anterior and posterior facial heights in young white and black Brazilian subjects with normal occlusion and to verify sexual dimorphism.

METHODS

The sample comprised the lateral cephalograms of untreated normal Brazilians, divided into 2 groups. Group 1 included 74 white subjects (37 of each sex), with a mean age of 13.71 years (SD 0.84); group 2 included 56 black subjects (28 of each sex), with a mean age of 13.86 years (SD 0.92). The variables studied were obtained from various cephalometric analyses. Sexual dimorphism was investigated in the groups. Independent t tests were used for intergroup comparisons.

RESULTS

The white subjects had significantly greater upper anterior facial height (UAFH) and proportion of UAFH to total anterior facial height (TAFH), and significantly smaller proportion of lower anterior facial height (LAFH) to TAFH than the black subjects. Black boys had significantly greater total posterior face height (TPFH) and UAFH and upper posterior face height (UPFH) and UPFH/TPFH proportion than black girls. Black girls had significantly greater LPFH/TPFH proportion than boys. White boys had significantly greater UPFH and UPFH/TPFH proportion than white girls. White girls had significantly greater LPFH/TPFH and facial height index values than boys.

CONCLUSIONS

White subjects had larger UAFH, whereas black subjects had proportionally larger LAFH. Boys have a greater tendency for a vertical pattern than girls.