Assessment of sagittal jaw relationship in a sample of Sudanese orthodontic patients: a cephalometric study

Objectives: Assessment of sagittal jaw relationship is an important step in orthodontic diagnosis and treatment planning. The purpose of the present study was to assess the reliability and correlation of seven cephalometric parameters in assessment of sagittal jaw relationship for Sudanese orthodontic patients. Materials and methods: A total of 107 pretreatment cephalometric radiographs from the Orthodontic Department archive at the University of Khartoum that fulfilled the inclusion criteria were included in the present study. Each radiograph was manually traced; ANB angle, Wits appraisal, APP-BPP distance, Beta angle, W angle, Yen angle and anteroposterior dysplasia indicator (APDI) were identified. The sample was divided into Class I, II and III skeletal groups based on each measurement separately. Person's correlation analysis was performed to assess the reliability and correlation between the measurements among the various study groups (P value = 0.05 level of significance). Results: W angle was the most reliable method to assess Class I skeletal group, as it showed significant and correct correlations with all measurements except APP-BPP distance (P = 0.163). ANB angle and APP-BPP distance were the most reliable methods to assess Class II and III skeletal groups, respectively, as significant and correct correlations with all measurements were recorded. Conclusions: W angle, ANB angle and APP-BPP distance complement each other as clinically appropriate methods for assessment of sagittal jaw relationship in Sudanese orthodontic patients. Keywords: cephalometric radiograph, sagittal jaw relationship, skeletal malocclusion