Posteroanterior cephalometric norms in Turkish adults.

PURPOSE The aims of this study were to establish cephalometric norms from posteroanterior cephalograms for Turkish adults, identify possible gender differences in these norms, compare Turkish norms with the norms of other groups, and identify possible correlations between all investigated transverse linear measurements. MATERIAL The subjects included 46 Turkish men (mean age, 26.06 +/- 2.10 years) and 54 Turkish women (mean age, 24.10 +/- 3.04 years). Each subject had ideal occlusion and a well-balanced face. Nineteen linear measurements were determined on each radiograph. For each variable, the arithmetic mean, the standard deviation, and the minimum and maximum values were calculated. For statistical evaluation, an independent-samples t test was performed. The Pearson product-moment correlation coefficient was calculated to indicate the relationship between all investigated linear dimensions. RESULTS Posteroanterior transverse linear norms for Turkish adults were generally similar to Ricketts' clinical norms. Of the 19 craniofacial transverse measurements, 15 showed significant sexual dimorphism. All investigated measures were higher in Turkish men than in women, with the exception of the distance from the intersection of the processus zygomaticus and the processus alveolaris maxillae on the right side and the frontal facial plane. Statistically significant correlations were determined in most measurements. CONCLUSIONS These Turkish posteroanterior cephalometric norms can be used in the treatment of Turkish patients.