CRANIOFACIAL MORPHOLOGY OF 8 YEARS RURAL RESIDENTIAL SCHOOL CHILDREN OF SUTTUR

Introduction: Most of the craniofacial growth studies are cross-sectional in nature and provided a large number of cephalometric standards for males and females at different ages and for various ethnic groups. Variations in craniofacial Morphology exist between different ethnic and racial groups. The cephalometric standards developed for one ethnic group need not apply to other ethnic groups - the racial groups must be dealt according to their own characteristics. Limited number of longitudinal or semi-longitudinal studies has been reported for Indian population. Objective: The present study was designed to describe craniofacial morphology of rural residential Free school children of Suttur at 8 years. Material and Methods: 10 Males & 10 Females of 8 years old children were selected and Lateral Cephalograms were taken. On each Lateral Cephalogram, 21 skeletal cephalometric landmarks were identified. From the cephalometric landmarks and reference lines, 31 angular & linear measurements were analyzed, which were grouped as JSS Craniofacial analysis. Results & Discussion: Mean Sagittal Measurements of 8 year old when compared between genders, there was no statistical significant difference. Females showed higher values than males for variables SNA, SNB, ANB, A-Npog, A:ss-n-pg. Mean vertical measurements when compared between genders for PFH, AFH & N:ANS were found to be statistically significant and males had higher values than the females. Mean Mandibular length measurements Go-Co and Co-Gn when compared between genders males had higher Mean values for both parameters were was statistically significant. Mean Dental measurements when compared between genders for values of L1-APog, U1-NA, L1-NB, U1-NL, U1-Protrusion, U1-Inclination, L1-Inclination and U1-L1, there was no significant difference between genders for any variables. Males had higher Mean values than females for all caranial base measurements. The variables S:Ba & ACB showed statistically significant difference between genders. Conclusion: Craniofacial Morphological data obtained in this study is very useful, but needs to be done on a larger sample.