Submentovertex cephalometric norms in male Chinese subjects.

Submentovertex (SMV) cephalograms of a random sample of 32 male Chinese subjects who were 20.1 +/- 1.9 years old and were free of temporomandibular joint symptoms were studied. A submentovertex cephalometric analysis comprised of 5 angular measurements and 10 linear parameters was developed for the purposes of establishing SMV cephalometric norms among our Chinese adult population for clinical usage. With the exception of condylar angulation, the lack of SMV cephalometric norms published in the literature for other parameters precluded comparison with the results of our study. This new SMV cephalometric analysis can provide clinically relevant information in the treatment of dentofacial orthopedics and facilitate in the diagnosis of mandibular asymmetry.