Differences in linear and angular measurement of the lower facial third in lateral cephalometry and lateral photometry: A comparative study

Background: In clinical orthodontic practice, to evaluate aesthetics in dentistry, lateral cephalometry and lateral photometry are used to measure and assess craniofacial morphology. In contrast to cephalometry, photometry has no radiation hazard and is less expensive. There has been a paradigm shift in contemporary orthodontics that now emphasizes soft tissue aesthetics, rather than depending entirely on hard tissue evaluation from lateral cephalometry. Therefore, the key question is whether lateral photometry can be a substitute for conventional cephalometry for diagnostics, prognostic analysis, and treatment planning. Objective: To differentiate between lateral cephalometry and lateral photometry measurement in children with stage 2 and 3 vertebrae maturation in the Deutero Malay population. Materials and Methods: A standardized protocol was followed for all lateral cephalograms and photographs from 38 subjects who met the inclusion criteria. Three parameters focusing on the lower third craniofacial measurement were investigated: two linear parameters (mandibular ramus length and mandibular length) and one angular parameter (gonial angle). These parameters were measured using Webceph software. All parameters were digitized on both cephalograms and photographs and were compared using an independent sample t-test. Results: When comparing the angular cephalometric and photometric variables, we found that the mandible length (Go-Me) and gonial angle (∠Go) in the cephalometry measurements had an insignificant difference compared to the photometric measurements, while the ramus length (Co-Go) in the cephalometry measurement had a significant difference compared to the photometric measurements. Conclusion: Although we cannot rule out cephalometry as the primary record in orthodontics, lateral photometry assessment can be used as an alternative candidate for measuring mandibular body measurements and gonial angle in stage 2 and 3 cervical maturation in the Deutero Malay race.