Comparison of craniofacial morphology in monozygotic twins with their siblings

Lateral cephalometric radiographs from 33 families of monozygotic twins and their siblings were digitized. Eight skeletal parameters were measured: FA to SN, SNA, SNB, ANB, angle of convexity, mandibular plane to SN angle, Y axis and pogonion to NB distance. Monozygotic twin pairs and their siblings showed a normal distribution pattern for all the skeletal parameters, except the pogonion to NB distance measurement. There was found to be a statistically significant correlation between age and facial angle and ANB. A familial aggregation effect was found for SNA, ANB and angle of convexity. Some genetic influence was found for FA, mandibular plane angle and Y axis, while the Pg to NB distance showed neither genetic influence, nor a familial aggregation.