Standardization for Frontal Cephalometric Radiography (P.A.) - Method Description

Gustavo Mattos BARRETO, Luiz Gonzaga GANDINI JR., Ary dos Santos PINTO, Dirceu Barnabé RAVELI, Lídia Parsekian MARTINS

Radiographic analysis of the craniofacial structures is often use in orthodontics as an important diagnostic tool. Lateral cephalometric evaluation of the maxila, mandible and dento-alveolar structures could be done with reasonable standardization due to the introduction of the cephalostat by Broadbent in 1931. After that it was possible to superimpose more than one lateral Xray and study the results of the treatment and growth. Nevertheless, the frontal cephalometric X-ray is obtained using the same device and because of that, small changes in head position up or downward have an great impact in the ralative position of craniofacial structures. Most of the time it produce superimposition of the posterior cranial base over that structures and at the same time will bring gross distortion, so the comparation among X-rays isn’t possible in the vertical dimension. The aim of this work is to present, in details, a methodology to obtain standardized frontal X-rays (P.A.). This would increase the value of frontal cephalometric assessment throught P.A. radiographic, allowing more accurate evaluation of the asymmetries, the effects of the palatal expansion, major in the vertical approach. The standardization proposed will bring more reliability for research using this type of assessment.

Keywords: Frontal analysis. Frontal cephalometric. Posteroanterior radiography.

Sunday, May 05, 2024 15:54