Facial Versus Skeletal Landmarks for Anterior-Posterior Diagnosis in Orthognathic Surgery and Orthodontics: Are They the Same?

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate diagnostic agreement in anterior-posterior (AP) categorization of the maxilla and mandible between a skeletal-landmark analysis and a facial-landmark analysis for treatment planning of orthognathic surgery and orthodontics.

Materials and methods: This retrospective, consecutive case series of adult patients who presented to the Mayo Clinic orthodontic department compared maxillary and mandibular AP diagnoses. Steiner's analysis of the sella-nasion-A point angle and sella-nasion-B point angle was used for a skeletal-landmark diagnosis. Element II of Andrews' 6 elements of orofacial harmony was used for a facial-landmark diagnosis. Both diagnoses were categorized as either deficient, optimal, or excessive for each jaw. Categorization of the skeletal landmark was determined by normative data, whereas the facial landmark provides a customized categorization unique to each individual.

Results: Weighted κ statistics were completed to test agreement between the categories determined by the skeletal and facial landmarks. The maxilla showed poor agreement, and the mandible showed slight agreement.

Conclusions: No agreement was found for AP categorization of the maxilla and mandible between skeletal-landmark and facial-landmark analyses. Most mandibles were diagnosed as retrognathic by the facial landmark, whereas most were diagnosed as optimal by the skeletal landmark. When the 2 landmarks disagreed, the facial landmark defined the optimal position farther anterior. The landmark chosen for diagnosis will impact the optimal jaw position and can affect orthognathic and orthodontic outcomes.