A Study of Facial Profiles in Achondroplasic Patients

“Objectives:” Achondroplasia represents the most common form within osteochondro-dysplasias, with an incidence tha varies between 1/15.000 and 1/27.000 in new borns. The most frequent bucco-dental problems are: class III malocclusion, an excessively narrow upper maxillar, crossbite and dental crowding. Confronted with this situation, we should take into account the importance of evaluating the facial profile in the diagnostic, treatment plan and prognosis of these patients in the field of orthognatic surgery and orthodontics. However, there is very little scientific literature about facial profiles and there is no clearly stablished facial pattern. The objective of this study is to evaluate diverse facial profile angles in a sample of achondroplasic patients and contrast these with values considered normal by Powell in 1984. “Methods:” 16 achondroplasic patients (9 males and 7 females) ranging in age from 8 to 14, were evaluated from 2003 to 2007 with clinical, radiological and photographic studies being made of them. Nasofrontal, nasolabial, nasofacial, nasomental and mentocervical angles were measured. The drawing of the angles was accomplished by hanging transparencys over the photographs and marking the reference points to avoid distortions, in accord with the criteria stablished by Powell in 1984.The difference among means was tested with studentxs t-test at the 0.05 level of significance. “Results:” Mean and standard deviations of the results obtained can be found in the table below, (*p<0.05):

ANGLES OF THE FACIAL PROFILE	MEANS	POWELL MEANS
NSF	120,81 ± 11,28	122,5
NSL	91,06 ± 11,98	95
NSFA	36,87 ± 6,23	35
NSM	137,62 ± 8,1*	126
MC	93,12 ± 6,63*	87,5

  “Conclusions:” These results suggest that the values of nasomental and mentocervical angles are significantly greater in achondroplasic patients. This study was partially supported by Vitaldent Foundation.