The anterior facial triangle: a method of cephalometric appraisal

The purpose of this study was to introduce a simple cephalometric method to identify individually the possible rotations of the palatal and mandibular planes, using point nasion as a reference, without the need to include the Sella Nasion or Frankfort horizontal planes. Also, using this method, it was possible to detect the antero-posterior position of subspinale. A random sample of 150 British school children aged 9-12 years was used. Lateral skull radiographs were taken. The lateral films were traced and digitzed. A mean shape outline +/- 1 s.d. for the sample was produced and superimposed on the craniofacial centroid for all the digitized tracings. A facial triangle was established, joining nasion to posterior nasal spine and nasion to the anteroposterior position of the subspinale intersecting the line joining the posterior nasal spine and anterior nasal spine.