Trigeminal foraminal patterns in "skeletal" Class II and Class III adults--a radiocephalometric study.

Radiocephalometric analysis, based mainly on the foramina of the trigeminal nerve branches, was applied to three samples of adults, two representing fairly extreme profile types, the third representing "normal" dentofacial build. The aim of the study was to find out whether the analytical method could be used to differentiate between facial types. It appeared that some elements of the method had diagnostic powers, and could substitute for traditional methods. Many dimensions inspected, however, were fairly similar in all facial types, thus suggesting a general basic role of the trigeminal nerve in relation to craniofacial structure. Generally speaking, the foraminal pattern was relatively stable in "normal" faces, but more variable in deviant faces.