Dentofacial and skeletal pattern in African descendants from southeastern Brazil: clinical prospective study

• Published in: Dental press journal of orthodontics Vol. 26; no. 3; p. e2119288
• Main Authors: Oliveira, Teresa Cristina Pereira de, Copello, Flávio de Mendonça, Silva, Isabela Maria de Carvalho Crusoé, Nojima, Lincoln Issamu, Nojima, Matilde da Cunha Gonçalves
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English; Portuguese
• Published: Brazil Dental Press International 2021; Dental Press Editora
• Subjects: Adult; African continental ancestry group; Brazil; Cephalometry; DENTISTRY, ORAL SURGERY & MEDICINE; Face; Female; Humans; Male; Mandible - diagnostic imaging; Maxilla - diagnostic imaging; Original; Prospective Studies; Young Adult; Brazil; Brasil; Grupo com ancestrais do continente africano; African continental ancestry group; Brazil; Cephalometry; Face; Cefalometria
• ISSN: 2176-9451; 2177-6709; 2177-6709
• DOI: 10.1590/2177-6709.26.3.e2119288.oar

The aim of this study was to evaluate characteristics of African-Brazilians young adults with excellent dental occlusion, including bimaxillary protrusion; compare them to European-American Caucasian standards, and determine whether there is sexual dimorphism in the display of this phenotype. Lateral cephalometric radiographs were obtained from 43 African-Brazilians within military personnel (28 males and 15 females, average age 22.4 ± 3.4 years) with normal occlusion, selected from a group of 394 volunteers. Thirty-one angular and linear measurements were evaluated. Student's t-test for independent samples was used to compare results with those established by European-American standards, previously described in the literature. Considering the dentoalveolar pattern, seven angular and six linear measurements showed statistically significant differences (p< 0.001) when compared to Caucasian cephalometric standards. African-Brazilians' subjects showed lower cranial base angle (SNAr = 119.87 ± 5.66º) and anterior cranial base length (SN-distance = 68.63 ± 4.50 mm) (p< 0.001). The maxilla (SNA = 88.51 ± 3.23º) and the mandible (SNB = 85.06 ± 3.24º) were protruded in relation to the SN line (p< 0.001). Sexual dimorphism was significant for L1.NB (degrees) (p< 0.01), and interincisal angle (U1.L1) (p< 0.05). African-Brazilian young adults presented differences regarding dental and craniofacial characteristics, when compared to European-American norms. It can be stated that Caucasian cephalometric norms should not be applied to African-Brazilian faces.