Orthognathic cephalometric norms for a sample of Sudanese adults

Background: With the recent global increase in the number of adult patients seeking orthodontic treatment in general and orthognathic surgery in specific, the need for population-specific cephalometric norms emerges. This is essential in diagnosing and formulating more optimum treatment plans. Aim: To establish orthognathic cephalometric standard values for an sample of Sudanese Adults. Design: Cross-sectional observational analytical study. Materials and Methods: A total of 106 cephalometric radiographs of Sudanese adults aged between 17 and 25 years (48 males and 58 females) were digitally traced and analyzed using Burstone's Cephalometric for Orthognathic Surgery analysis (COGS). Statistical Analysis: Descriptive statistics, means, and standard deviations were used to present Sudanese standard values. Paired sample t-test was used to test for significant differences between Sudanese and Caucasian norms. Results: When compared to European–Americans, Sudanese adults, in general, had a shorter cranial base, lower values of some vertical height measurements, shorter maxillae, and larger mandibular plane angle. In addition, Sudanese females had a more convex profile and more protrusive maxillae in comparison to their European–Americans counterparts. Regarding dental measurements, Sudanese males had statistically significant lower values of upper and lower anterior and posterior dental heights, steeper occlusal plane, and more proclined incisors. Moreover, Sudanese females had steeper occlusal plane as well as more proclination of the anterior teeth when compared to their European–American counterparts. Conclusions: Considerable differences in skeletal and dental configuration exist between Sudanese and European-American adults. These variations must be considered during treatment planning. This study can provide a useful database for orthognathic surgery treatment planning for Sudanese adults.