Submentovertex cephalometric norms in Turkish adults

Introduction: The aims of this study were (1) to establish cephalometric norms from submentovertex (SMV) radiographs for young Anatolian Turkish adults and (2) to identify possible sex differences between men and women. Methods: SMV cephalograms were taken of 50 nongrowing Turkish adults (25 men, mean age, 23.06 ± 2.30 years; 25 women, mean age, 22.10 ± 2.04 years). All had normal occlusions and well-balanced faces. Five angular and 10 linear measurements were made on each radiograph. For each variable, arithmetic mean and standard deviation minimum and maximum values were calculated. Independent-sample t tests were performed for the sex comparisons. Cephalometric angular and linear norms for Turkish adults were determined by using the Lew-Tay SMV cephalometric analysis. SMV cephalometric standards for Turkish adults were also developed. Results: Generally, our measurements were similar to the Lew-Tay SMV norms. Most Turkish SMV cephalometric measurements showed statistically significant sex differences. Comparison between Turkish men and women indicated larger measurements for men in all investigated linear measurements. Conclusions: SMV cephalometric norms are useful in the diagnosis of mandibular asymmetries and the treatment of dentofacial orthopedics in Turkish patients.