Angular Relationship between the Palatal Plane and the Anterior Cranial Baseline in Different Sagittal Skeletal Relationships: A Cephalometric Study

Abstract

Aim: The objective of this investigation was to quantify the relation between the anterior cranial base and the palatal plane [PP-sella-nasion (SN)] in subjects having different sagittal skeletal relationships. Materials and methods: Pretreatment cephalometric radiographs of 106 subjects were obtained. The cephalograms were then traced using the Facad software. The β angle measurement was done to evaluate the sagittal skeletal relationship of the subject. The cephalograms were then grouped into three based on the β angle measurements—groups I, II, and III. The angle formed by the palatal plane (PP) and cranial base intersecting was then measured and tabulated. The data was statistically evaluated using International Business Machines (IBM) Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software. Results: The tabulated data was distributed normally. The overall mean angle between the PP and the cranial base of the included participants was 6.34° ± 4.51°. The difference in the PP-SN angle between groups was not statistically significant. There was no gender disparity observed. Conclusion: Although individual variability exists, the difference in PP-SN angle among the groups and between both genders was not significant statistically (p > 0.05). Clinical significance: The role of the PP-SN angle as a diagnostic and prognostic tool in the management of malocclusion has to be explored further. Quantification of the PP-SN angle for the South Indian population is a first step in this direction. With the rising popularity of the use of temporary anchorage devices (TADs) and orthognathic surgical interventions, the PP-SN angle could be a key determinant factor in the selection of either.