Comparative cephalometric study of Class III malocclusion in Saudi and Japanese adult females.

The cephalometric features of class III malocclusion in Saudi adult females were investigated and compared with reference data for Japanese females. The sample consisted of 30 standardized pre-treatment cephalometric radiographs of adult Saudi females diagnosed as having skeletal class III malocclusion. The radiographs were traced and digitized. Linear and angular variables were obtained for comparison of cranial base, maxilla, mandible, intermaxillary and dentoalveolar measurements. The method error in identifying and locating the anatomical landmarks was small and acceptable. Student's t-test was used for comparing the measurements. The results showed that Saudi females had a larger anterior cranial base, a smaller posterior cranial base, a smaller cranial base angle, smaller anterior and posterior facial heights, downward tipping of the maxilla, a retruded chin, a less steep mandibular plane, an increased joint angle, a smaller ramus, body and total mandibular length, and less retroclined mandibular incisors. The null hypothesis of no difference between the two groups was rejected. These results appear to suggest real differences in skeletal features between Saudi and Japanese adult females.