[Anteroposterior jaw position in persons with skeletal class I]

Many authors point out that there are great differences in anthropometric studies due to racial, ethnic and population morphological characteristics. Facial type is a decisive factor when planning and setting objectives, as well as when choosing the mode of orthodontic treatment. The aim of this study was to determine the morphological characteristics of antero-posterior position of maxilla and mandible and determine the most prevalent facial type in children living in Vojvodina.

Sixty cephalograms of both males and females, with skeletal class I and harmonious facial profile, were digitized and the following skeletal measurements were calculated: SNA, SNB and ANB angles. For comparative analysis, characteristics of craniofacial complex of the tested population were compared to Bolton standards from the Broadbent-Bolton longitudinal growth study.

A statistically significant difference of both maxillary and mandibular prognathism were present when compared to Bolton standards. This indicates more retrognathic viscerocranial structures, and more posteriorly divergent profiles (SNA=81.7 degrees; SNB=78.23 degrees).

Differences identified in craniofacial parameters in relation to Bolton standards show that one should carefully consider the risk of altering facial esthetics of patients from Vojvodina with extraction treatment. Whenever possible, give priority to early non-extraction treatment, in order to reach the best possible end-result within the given facial type, preserving facial esthetics.