What are normal esthetic values?

The management of dentofacial deformities is at least partially assessed on the basis of standardized radiographs and photographs, which are analyzed according to accepted norms. Although one frequently hears the cry of "Treat the patient, not the cephalometric radiograph," with the development of sophisticated computer-assisted digitizing systems and cephalometric analysis programs, there may be a greater reliance on cephalometric and photometric norms than previously. If we are to become more dependent on these normal values, it is necessary to know their origin and significance.