Vertical Facial Height and its Correlation with Skeletal Pattern Among Young Nigerian Orthodontic Patients

Objectives: To compare the anterior facial height parameters among the sexes and to find facial height variations among Class I, II and III skeletal pattern groups. Methods: The sample comprised of 60 (26 females and 34 males) lateral cephalometric radiographs traced and grouped into Class I, II and III skeletal relationships based on their ANB values. The age of the sample subjects was 10-19 years. The upper, lower and total anterior facial heights and the ratio of upper and lower to the total facial heights were measured and calculated for all radiographs in the three skeletal groups. Results: The anterior facial heights showed no significant differences between both sexes in the skeletal groups. The anterior facial height parameters studied showed no significant difference among the skeletal groups. None of the facial height variables correlate significantly with skeletal pattern. Conclusion: The anterior facial heights and its ratios showed no significant sex variation and revealed no significant difference among the skeletal groups.