Abstract

It is important for orthodontists to have a basic understanding of the growth and development of the face. Scott's nasal septal cartilage theory proposes that the cartilage of the nasal septum proliferates along the anterior slope of the vomer bone by interstitial growth, simultaneously pulling and displacing the maxilla downward and forward. It is therefore logical to conclude that the vector of nasomaxillary growth has a geometric correlation with the anterior slope of the vomer bone.

There are no published studies comparing either the anterior or posterior slope of the vomer with any lateral cephalometric landmarks, the vectors of nasomaxillary growth, or the possible changes in the vomer slope with time. The purpose of this study was to evaluate if the anterior inferior and or the posterior inferior slope of the vomer correlates with the cephalometric vectors of facial growth, namely the Y-axis and Ricketts facial axis. Cone beam computed tomography was used to identify the landmarks. A total of 60 patients were studied, divided equally into males and females among the 11-15 and 19-45 year old age groups.

The slope of the vomer was tested as two separate axes; the anterior inferior vomer axis (AlVA) and the posterior inferior vomer axis (PIVA). The AlVA and PIVA were compared with two well accepted vectors of facial growth; the facial axis (FA) and the Y-axis (YA). Statistical analyses included independent sample T-tests and Pearson correlations. The null hypothesis was that there was no geometric correlation between the vectors of facial growth (FA & YA) and the slope of the AIVA and or the PIVA. In addition, the null hypothesis states that there should be no change in AIVA or PIVA inclination with age.

The YA and FA were statistically significantly correlated to each other in both age groups. Overall, the AIVA and PIVA both were significantly correlated with the FA and YA. Neither the AIVA nor the PIVA showed a significant change in inclination with age. The AIVA likely represents the vector of maxillary displacement, whereas the PIVA is a resultant vector of both displacement and drift.

LLU Discipline

Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics

Department

Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics

School

Dentistry

First Advisor

R. David Rynearson

Second Advisor

Joseph Caruso

Third Advisor

Jung-Wei Chen

Fourth Advisor

Leroy Leggitt

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Degree Level

M.S.

Year Degree Awarded

2010

Date (Title Page)

9-2010

Language

English

Library of Congress/MESH Subject Headings

Maxillofacial Development; Facial Bones -- growth & development; Nasal Cartilages -- growth & development; Orthodontics -- methods; Cephalometry -- methods; Vomer -- radiography

Type

Thesis

Page Count

x; 29

Digital Format

PDF

Digital Publisher

Loma Linda University Libraries

Usage Rights

This title appears here courtesy of the author, who has granted Loma Linda University a limited, non-exclusive right to make this publication available to the public. The author retains all other copyrights.

Collection

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Collection Website

http://scholarsrepository.llu.edu/etd/

Repository

Loma Linda University. Del E. Webb Memorial Library. University Archives

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