Cranial Base Morphology Determining Sagittal and Vertical Facial Relation: A Cross Sectional Study

Introduction The morphology of the cranial base plays an important role in determining the sagittal and vertical relationship of maxilla and mandible to each other and to the cranial base. This study assessed the contribution of the linear and angular measurements of cranial base on skeletal malocclusions in Indian population localized to Goa region. Methods Of the total 356 records examined 183 (79 male, 111 females, mean age of 23.204.83 years) met the inclusion criteria who were classified into 3 sagittal discrepancy groups. Each group was then subdivided into low and high angle cases. The morphological characteristics of the cranial and jaw bases in the three groups were compared and assessments were made for relationship between the cranial base and the jaw base discrepancy. Results and Conclusions Significant differences were found in the cranial base lengths and angles of the three groups. A gradual increase in mean anterior cranial base length, SN-FH and SN-SBa angles was observed from skeletal class III to class II through class I subjects. Posterior cranial base length was minimum in class II and maximum in class III subjects. SN-SBa had a lesser value in horizontal growth patterns in Class I and Class II subjects.