Cephalometric Comparisons of Dento-occlusal and Skeletal patterns of Adolescents from three West African countries of Nigeria, Ghana and Senegal

Abstract

Background: The aim of this study was to determine and compare dento-occlusal and skeletal patterns
among 12-16 year old Nigerian, Ghanaian and Senegalese adolescents. The results were further compared with published Caucasian norms.
Method: Lateral Cephalometric radiographs of 300 volunteers aged 12-16 years from Nigeria, Ghana and
Senegal were taken and analysed to determine the dental, occlusal, and skeletal patterns.
Results: There were 165 females and 135 males with a female to male ratio of 1.2:1.0. Their mean age was
13.96+ 1.58 years. Among the seven dento-occlusal values investigated, only upper incisor to maxillary plane was statistically significantly different within the countries studied (p< 0.05).
As for skeletal variables, SNA, SNB, SN/MnP, MxP/MnP, LAFH, TAFH, TPFH, UPFH, LPFH, UAFH angles shows significantly statistically difference (p< 0.05) among the adolescents from the 3 countries.
Conclusion: There were differences in the comparative analysis of dento-facial cephalometric patterns of 12-
16 year old adolescents from Nigeria, Ghana and Senegal.
Differences also are noted in the dento-skeletal pattern of West African adolescents compared to published Caucasian norms. This study provides a useful data for skeletal parameters for diagnostic, treatment planning and research purpose in the West African sub-region.