Assessment of lower anterior face height in local Khyber Pakhtunkhwa population

Abstract

Introduction: The soft tissue paradigm shift has changed the way orthodontists plan treat and execute treatment. It is important to establish norms of face in the three dimensions and then every effort must be made to get close to those norms with ones treatment. Hence the purpose of this research was to evaluate the lower anterior face height (LAFH) of local Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) population.

Material and Methods: Cephalograms of 114 young subjects (57 men and 57 women) with the age range 14 to 24 years were evaluated and compared with standard norms. Lower facial height (LAFH) was established by taking linear measurement from anterior nasal spine (ANS) to menton (Me) and Total anterior facial height (TAFH) via the measurement of nasion (N) to menton (Me). Three age groups were considered according to mean deviation of LAFH ratio from standard i.e. normal, above normal and below normal.

Results: t test showed statistically significant difference in the LAFH in KPK population having p value < .05. LAFH was insignificantly (p value > .05) higher in men than in women. Out of 114 subjects 40 had normal, 11 had below normal and 63 had above normal mean LAFH ratio.

Conclusions: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa population has proportionally larger LAFH when compared to standard norms.