A comparison of cephalometric analyses for assessing sagittal jaw relationship.

OBJECTIVE To compare the seven methods of cephalometric analysis for assessing sagittal jaw relationship and to determine the level of agreement between them. STUDY DESIGN Cross-sectional, analytical study. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY Dental Section, the Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, from January to December 2004. METHODOLOGY Seven methods, describing anteroposterior jaw relationships (A-B plane, ANB, Wits, AXB, AF-BF, FABA and Beta angle) were measured on the lateral cephalographs of 85 patients. Correlation analysis, using Cramer's V-test, was performed to determine the possible agreement between the pair of analyses. RESULTS The mean age of the sample, comprising 35 males and 50 females was 15 years and 3 months. Statistically significant relationships were found among seven sagittal parameters with p-value < 0.001. Very strong correlation was found between AXB and AF-BF distance (r=0.924); and weak correlation between ANB and Beta angle (r=0.377). Wits appraisal showed the greatest coefficient of variability. CONCLUSION Despite varying strengths of association, statistically significant correlations were found among seven methods for assessing sagittal jaw relationship. FABA and A-B plane may be used to predict the skeletal class in addition to the established ANB angle.