Longitudinal photometric analysis of facial profiles of Japanese children with skeletal class Imalocclusion

PURPOSE: To analyze the longitudinal growth changes in facial profiles of Japanese children with skeletal Class Ⅰ malocclusion. METHODS: The subjects consisted of 525 longitudinally taken lateral facial photographs from 57 Japanese children (25 males and 32 females) aging from 7 to 18 years. The reference line to standardize and evaluate serial growth changes was the er-ex line passing through point er，the upper edge of the ear rod in a Photostat，and point ex，ektokanthion. The profile ratios，angles，and distances from the upper/lower lips to the E-line were measured. Longitudinal growth changes in the facial profiles were analyzed using SPSS 12.0 software package. RESULTS: The horizontal profile ratios of the chin showed significant differences between the sexes aging from 8 to 13 years. The horizontal profile ratios showed characteristic changes in both males and females from 7 to 18 years. The vertical profile ratios did not show such remarkable changes. CONCLUSIONS: The nose and chin showed characteristic facial growth; the nasal tip showed forward and downward growth and the chin showed gradual protrusion. The upper lip showed slight retraction in females but an upright tendency in males. The lower lip showed slight forward growth. The ratios of upper to total facial height and middle to total facial height increased and decreased，respectively. The ratio of lower to total facial height showed few changes.