Relationship Between Cervical Lordosis and Facial Morphology in Caucasian Women with a Skeletal Class II Malocclusion: A Cross-Sectional Study

ABSTRACT

Several published studies show a relationship between craniofacial morphology and head posture. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between cervical lordosis angle and mandibular length from lateral skull radiographs, and to investigate the relationship between mandibular retrusion and cervical lordosis angle decreasing. The sample comprised 70 Caucasian adult women, average 27.4, in skeletal class II and Angle class II. Lateral skull radiographs were obtained in natural head position (mirror position). Ten morphological variables were individuated on tracings. In order to assess errors due to landmark identification, double measurements were made in ten randomly selected radiographs and were compared with Dahlberg's formula. A Sperman's rank correlation test showed a negative correlation (P<0.01) between cervical lordosis and mandibular length (compensatory curvature of the cervical spine) and positive correlation between anterior cranial base and maxillary length (P<0.05). Based upon the cross-sectional method, no conclusion was possible about the mechanism concerning these results. Future longitudinal studies in growing patients should be directed to understanding the extent of environmental and genotype influences on cervical lordosis angle.

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Notes on contributors

Felice Festa

Dr. Felice Festa is director of the Department of Orthodontics and Gnathology, School of Dentistry and a professor of Orthodontics at the University of Chieti, Italy. He is also Director of the Post Graduate program in Clinical Gnathology and Orthodontics at the same university. He received his M.D. degree and D.D.S. degree at the University of Rome in 1979 and 1982 respectively. He earned a M.S. degree in orthodontics in 1985 at the University of Cagliari. In 2001 he was nominated National Referee Professor in Orthodontics at the Professor National College. Dr. Festa has authored many clinical and research articles in his field.

Simona Tecco

Dr. Simona Tecco received her D.D.S. degree in 1999 from the Faculty of Dentistry, University of Chieti, Italy. Since 1999, she has been an assistant at the Department of Ortoghatodontics at the same university. Currently, she is has a fellowship position at the Faculty of Dentistry, University of Chieti.

Marco Dolci

Dr. Marco Dolci received his M.D. degree in 1989 at the University of Rome and his maxillofacial specialization in 1994 at the University of Verona. Since 1996, he has been a researcher at the same university. He is an associate professor at the University of Chieti and a member of the Italian Association of Maxillofacial Sugery. Dr. Dolci has written many clinical and research articles.

Fabio Ciufolo

Dr. Fabio Ciuffolo received his D.D.S. degree in 2001 from the Faculty of Dentistry, University of Chieti, Italy. Since 1999, he has been a staff member in the Department of Orthodontics and Gnathology, School of Dentistry.

Silvio Di Meo

Dr. Silvio Di Meo received his D.D.S. degree in 2001 from the Faculty of Dentistry, University of Chieti, Italy. Since 1999, he has been a staff member in the Department of Orthodontics and Gnathology, School of Dentistry, University of Chieti.

Maria R. Filippi

Dr. Maria R. Filippi received her D.D.S. degree in 1992 from the Faculty of Dentistry, University of L'Aquila, Italy. She is currently a staff member in the Department of Orthodontics and Gnathology, School of Dentistry, University of Chieti.

Anna L. Ferritto

Dr. Anna L. Ferritto received her D.D.S. degree in 1998 from the Faculty of Dentistry, University of L'Aquila, Italy. She is currently a staff member in the Department of Orthodontics and Gnathology, School of Dentistry, University of Chieti.

Michele D'Attillio

Dr. Michele D'Attillio received his D.D.S. degree in 1987 from the Faculty of Dentistry, University of Chieti, Italy. Since 2000, he has been a researcher in the Department of Orthodontics, University of Chieti. Also since 2000 he has been the Head Chair in Orthodontics I. He is a member of the Italian Association of Maxillofacial Surgery and has written many clinical and research articles.