Determination of vertical characteristics with different cephalometric measurements

OBJECTIVE: To analyze a possible correlation between different measures in the definition of vertical facial types. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is an analytical observational study about 95 lateral teleradiographs of Caucasian individuals with normal occlusion, of which 54 were male (56.84%) and 41 female (43.16%), aged between 15 years and 2 months old and 21 years and 4 months old. Facial types were divided into dolichofacial, mesofacial, and brachyfacial, according to the standards established by different authors. A relationship between these measurements was verified using total agreement analysis and the Kappa method, with the interpretation suggested by Landis and Koch. RESULTS: Kappa was considered fair for Jarabak X VERT (0.22 and 60%) and slight for Jarabak X SN. GoGn (0.06 and 36.8%). CONCLUSIONS: Cephalometric studies often present different interpretations on the description of vertical facial types. In this study, the lowest agreement was between Jarabak and SN.GoGn. Such difference in interpretation may lead to distinct therapeutic approaches and thus different results.