Relationships of vertical facial pattern, natural head position and craniocervical posture in young Chinese children.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate relationships of vertical facial patterns, natural head position (NHP), and craniocervical posture in young Chinese children with skeletal Class I relationship.

METHODS

Ninety-four patients with skeletal Class I relationship were classified into low, average, and high angle groups according to their mandibular plane angle (NSL/ML). Cephalometric radiographs in NHP were taken. Variables representing vertical and sagittal craniofacial morphology, head posture, and craniocervical posture were measured and compared.

RESULTS

Inclinations of the mandible to the true vertical and cervical column were smallest in the high angle group and largest in the low angle group. Other variables representing head posture and craniocervical posture were largest in the high angle group, smallest in the low angle group. Inclinations of ramus to cervical column were largest in the high angle group and smallest in the low angle group.

DISCUSSION: Subjects with large NSL/ML angles showed extended head and craniocervical posture, while subjects with small NSL/ML angles exhibited flexed head and craniocervical posture.