ABSTRACT

The aim of this study was to evaluate the facial type and skeletal relationships of Class I Turkish male and female adults by using Bimler cephalometric analysis.

The study sample included 82 randomly selected Turkish adults (42 female, 40 male) with an age range of 18–23 years. Cephalometric measurements defined by Bimler were used to determine skeletal relationships, including his suborbital facial index on lateral cephalometric radiographs. Variance analysis (ANOVA) was used for statistical assessment of the results.

The whole sample was found to be in the medium range according to Bimler. For all parameters, except the mandibular flexion (Cgo/CV), which showed hyperflexion with a mean 4.23° in female patients and 3.78° in male patients, Turkish adults show appropriate characteristics as defined by Bimler. There were no significant differences between men and women in most of the angular and linear measurements. Craniofacial height and depth values were significantly higher in men, showing a sex-based difference (p<0.001), whereas differences between the sexes concerning suborbital facial index (H/D) were nonsignificant.

Ranges of Turkish population show similarity to those reported by Bimler. The whole sample was found to be in the medium range according to Bimler. Craniofacial height and depth values were significantly higher in men, showing sex-based difference. The mandible showed hyperflexion in both groups which indicates reduction of the height of the middle part of the face.