Assessment of anterior malar projections using cephalometric and clinical photographs in Gujarati population

Abstract

Midface plays a vital role in contributing to facial aesthetics; despite this, there prevails a need for orthodontic literature to provide specific diagnostic criteria. We are blessed with ample literature to evaluate such, but due to some shortcomings, we lack to decide exact treatment plan. To clarify such limitations of various midface analysis, there is a need to consider the projections of the malar prominence in individuals with different skeletal mal-relationships. 40 subjects between the ages of 10 and 12 years, were equally divided into groups based on visual assessment of negative and positive vector relationships. Groups A and B comprised 20 subjects (10 male, 10 female) displaying a positive and negative vector relationship respectively. For both groups, Sella-nasion-Orbitale angulations were measured to evaluate the subjects’ anteroposterior position of the malar eminence relative to the cranial base. The angulation measurements obtained for SNO were smaller in the negative vector than the positive on an average of 5.9°, P < 0.05. No significant difference in values between males and females was observed. Visual assessment of vector relationships can effectively classify anterior malar projection which can be utilized to decide different orthodontic treatment modalities.