Computerized cephalometric study of face profiles through Ricketts, McNamara and Steiner analyses¹

Abstract

The present research aimed to evaluate the sexual dimorphism and to compare the gotten avera- ges to the reference values sugges- ted by Ricketts, McNamara and Steiner, by means of computerized cephalometric analyses, in the Ra- diocef program 2000®. For this, a sample of 40 telerradiographs was used, in lateral norm, with Brazi- lian subjects of both the genders, white-skinned, with a mean age of 22,5 years and carriers of pleasant profile. The results were submit- ted to Student’s t test. The analy- sis of sexual dimorphism showed significantly higher dimensions in men rather than in women, in the evaluated largeness, with excep- tion of the occlusal plan in relation to SN line, which expresses the inclination of teeth in relation to the base of the skull. For the sam- ples here studied, it was observed a protrusion of the maxillary and mandibular osseous bases for both genders. The masculine group de- monstrated brachycephalic face. The dental pattern found in this study was of protrusion, both for maxillae and mandible and every measurement of McNamara’s analysis is within the reference values proposed by the author. The research demonstrated the need for differentiation by gen- ders, for the correct interpretation of the cephalometric values gotten in clinical practice, aiming to have a correct diagnosis and an appro- priate treatment plan. Key words: cephalometrics, se- xual characteristics, diagnosis, measurement.