Relationship between cranial base flexure and skeletal class

Resumen

It is stated in scientific literature  that the entire craniofacial complex is influenced by the growth and displacement direction  of the cranial base structures, at the same time exerting over them direct influence. Nevertheless, many times this is not the case, and this point is subject to great controversy. We must also bear in mind that studies have been carried out in population samples of different ethnic characteristics, facial biotypes, and growth types. For these reasons, random samples of 80 lateral cephalometric radiographs were taken at the Orthodontic Department of the Hospital Infantil de Mexico Federico Gomez (HIMFG). Patients had not previously received orthopaedic or orthodontic treatment. Patients were divided according to skeletal class: 28 Class I, 38 Class II and 14 Class III. In all patients, the N-S-Ar angle was measured. This angle indicates the inclination of the cranial base. Cases were divided into three   types of angles: normal angles (120-125º) associated to skeletal Class I, open angles (>125º) associated to skeletal Class II, and closed angles (<120º) associated to skeletal Class III.

The aim of the present study was to assess the relationship between cranial base flexure and skeletal Class. It was found that no significant relationship existed between cranial base flexure and skeletal Class.