Study on the Korean craniofacial skeletal pattern by counterpart analysis

Sohn, Byung Wha; Lee, Yoon Jeong; Yang, Choon Sik

Abstract

Enlow's counterpart analysis explains the complex with anatomic and developmental characteristics where craniofacial aspect of individuals has been developed. The analysis does not compare individual measurement with the normal value from the average of majority but analyzes by comparison of values that each individual has. This study was to clarify the Korean craniofacial skeletal pattern using Enlow's counterpart analysis considering the fact that the craniofacial skeletal pattern has racial and regional variations. This research will be helpful in the future for growth research and research of the orthognathic For this study, the samples were consisted of 100 Korean adult subjects(50 males and 50 females) who had normal occlusion and pleasing face. Measurement points and lines were established using Enlow's counterpart analysis and they were statistically evaluated. The results indicated that: 1. The average angle between PCF and PMV was 38.54 degrees in males and 38.43 degrees in females, and the average Wits' appraisal was -2.51 in males and -2.3 in females. The ramus alignment(R4) was 1.89 in males and 2.36 in females. 2. It shows that females have a longer ramus than the PCF compared to the males, because there was a significant difference in Ramus/PCF horizontal dimensions (Skeletal A3-B3) between female and male subjects 3. It shows that males have a longer mandibular corpus than the maxilla compared to the females, because there was a significant difference in Maxillary/Mandibular arches(Skeletal A4-B4) between male and female subjects 4. In cranial floor+maxilla/ramus+corpus at A and B points(A1-B1), which represents difference in total horizontal length between the maxilla and mandible, there was no significant difference between males and females. In conclusions, compared to Caucasian, Korean have more depressed midface, prognathic mandible, and ramus that rotates inferioposterior. Also, we observe that Korean women have larger ramus posterior cranial base, as compared with Korean men. Consequently, the total length of maxilla and mandible does not show any difference, because man's mandible is longer than maxilla in comparison with woman's one.