A comparative study on head posture and craniofacial morphology between Koreans and Scandiavian caucasians

Oh, Yong Duck; Yoon, Young Jooh; Kim, Kwang Won

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to evaluate racial differences in head posture and the influence of head posture to the craniofacial morphology. The sample group of this study was made up of 51 Korean males and 120 Scandinavian Caucasian males. From the comparison of the cranio-cervical angels and the variables of craniofacial morphology between them, the following results were obtained. 1. the cranio-cervical angle (NSL/OPT) was on average 9.28 degrees larger in Koreans. 2. The length of the anterior cranial base (N-S) was on average 4.66mm shorter in Koreans. 3. The length of the maxillary base (sp-pm and ss-pm) were on average 2.75mm and 4.65mm shorter in Koreans respectively, the anterior maxillary height (n-sp) was on average 2.60mm longer, the posterior dimension (s-pm) was found to be 2.06mm longer in Koreans, and the maxillary inclination (NSL/NL) was identical in both samples. 4. The mandibular body length (pg-tgo) and ramus height (ar-tgo) were identical in the two groups, but the gonial angle (ML/RL) was 3.22 degrees smaller and the mandibular plane inclination (NSL/ML) was 2.44 degrees larger in Koreans. 5. The maxillary prognathism (s-n-sp and s-n-ss) and the mandibular prognathism (s-n-ss) were identical in both samples. 6. The sagittal jaw relationship (ss-n-pg) was 1.44 degrees larger in the Koreans sample, but the vertical jaw relationship (NL/ML) was not significantly different. 7. The anterior facial height (n-gn) was 5.57mm longer in the Koreans sample. 8. The mandibular alveolar prognathism (CL/ML) was 5.71 defrees greater and the interincisal angle (ILs/ILi) was 3.08 degrees more acute in Koreans. Taken together these results, craniofacial morphology can be influenced by the head posture defined by cranio-cervical angulation.