Vertical Cephalometric Characteristics in Class III Malocclusions

The phenotypic variety of Angle Class III malocclusion requires in-depth investigation of the skeletal changes from a diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic perspective alike. The aim of our study was to evaluate the particularities of vertical cephalometric parameters of patients with Class III malocclusions, according to gender and age group. Eight parameters were analyzed on lateral cephalograms of patients with Class III malocclusions and, comparatively, on lateral cephalograms of a group with Class I malocclusions. The results, grouped by gender and age, suggest that values of the gonial angle, values of the angles formed between the mandibular plane and the anterior cranial base, respectively the Frankfurt Horizontal plane were higher for patients with Class III malocclusions, differences being statistically significant especially after the pubertal growth period. Class III patients had lower values for the upper gonial angle and higher ones for the lower gonial angle. Furthermore, for patients with Class III malocclusions the Jaraback ratio decreased, based on the significantly higher values of the anterior facial height. No sexual dimorphism was associated with variation of the investigated parameters.