Cephalometric Floating Norms for the β Angle and MMBP-Wits

The importance of an accurate measurement of sagittal jaw relationship, that is, skeletal class, is critical to orthodontic treatment planning. The ANB angle, β angle, and MMBP-Wits are among indices of sagittal jaw relationship. All of these indices are subjected to geometrical distortion, especially from facial divergence, making the use of floating (individualized) norms necessary. This study thus provides floating norms for the ANB angle and for the first time for the β angle and MMBP-Wits. Lateral head films were obtained from 119 subjects (74 females and 45 males; mean age, 11.2 ± 1.5 years; range, 8.2–14.0 years) with well-balanced and pleasant profile and a near-ideal occlusion. Multiple regression models were employed to quantify the association of the ANB angle, β angle, and MMBP-Wits each with other four angular cephalometric parameters including SNA, SN/PP, SN/MP, and NSBa angles. The β angle and MMBP-Wits were associated with the SNA and SN/MP angles; the ANB angle was associated with all the four other cephalometric variables. Floating norms for the β angle and MMBP-Wits (but not ANB angle) have been cross-tabulated according to the SNA angle (from 74° to 90°) and SN/MP angle (from 24° to 44°). While the ANB angle is subjected to significantly more geometrical distortion as compared to the β angle and MMBP-Wits, floating norms may be used to individualize the reference values for both the β angle and MMBP-Wits.