Trunk asymmetry and facial symmetry in young adults

Authors

  • Inta Zepa Department of Orthodontics, Karolinska Institutet, Institute of Odontology, Huddinge, Sweden; Department of Pedodontics and Orthodontics, Institute of Dentistry, University of Helsinki, Finland; Department of Radiology, Institute of Dentistry, University of Helsinki, Finland; Riihimäki Regional Hospital, Riihimäki, Finland; Department of Stomatognathic Physiology and Prosthetic Dentistry, Institute of Dentistry, University of Helsinki, Finland; Cleft Palate and Craniofacial Center, Department of Plastic Surgery, Helsinki University Central Hospital, HUS, Finland; Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Diseases, Surgical Hospital, HUCH, Helsinki, Finland
  • Kirsti Hurmerinta Department of Orthodontics, Karolinska Institutet, Institute of Odontology, Huddinge, Sweden; Department of Pedodontics and Orthodontics, Institute of Dentistry, University of Helsinki, Finland; Department of Radiology, Institute of Dentistry, University of Helsinki, Finland; Riihimäki Regional Hospital, Riihimäki, Finland; Department of Stomatognathic Physiology and Prosthetic Dentistry, Institute of Dentistry, University of Helsinki, Finland; Cleft Palate and Craniofacial Center, Department of Plastic Surgery, Helsinki University Central Hospital, HUS, Finland; Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Diseases, Surgical Hospital, HUCH, Helsinki, Finland
  • Outi Kovero Department of Orthodontics, Karolinska Institutet, Institute of Odontology, Huddinge, Sweden; Department of Pedodontics and Orthodontics, Institute of Dentistry, University of Helsinki, Finland; Department of Radiology, Institute of Dentistry, University of Helsinki, Finland; Riihimäki Regional Hospital, Riihimäki, Finland; Department of Stomatognathic Physiology and Prosthetic Dentistry, Institute of Dentistry, University of Helsinki, Finland; Cleft Palate and Craniofacial Center, Department of Plastic Surgery, Helsinki University Central Hospital, HUS, Finland; Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Diseases, Surgical Hospital, HUCH, Helsinki, Finland
  • Maunu Nissinen Department of Orthodontics, Karolinska Institutet, Institute of Odontology, Huddinge, Sweden; Department of Pedodontics and Orthodontics, Institute of Dentistry, University of Helsinki, Finland; Department of Radiology, Institute of Dentistry, University of Helsinki, Finland; Riihimäki Regional Hospital, Riihimäki, Finland; Department of Stomatognathic Physiology and Prosthetic Dentistry, Institute of Dentistry, University of Helsinki, Finland; Cleft Palate and Craniofacial Center, Department of Plastic Surgery, Helsinki University Central Hospital, HUS, Finland; Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Diseases, Surgical Hospital, HUCH, Helsinki, Finland
  • Mauno Könönen Department of Orthodontics, Karolinska Institutet, Institute of Odontology, Huddinge, Sweden; Department of Pedodontics and Orthodontics, Institute of Dentistry, University of Helsinki, Finland; Department of Radiology, Institute of Dentistry, University of Helsinki, Finland; Riihimäki Regional Hospital, Riihimäki, Finland; Department of Stomatognathic Physiology and Prosthetic Dentistry, Institute of Dentistry, University of Helsinki, Finland; Cleft Palate and Craniofacial Center, Department of Plastic Surgery, Helsinki University Central Hospital, HUS, Finland; Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Diseases, Surgical Hospital, HUCH, Helsinki, Finland
  • Jan Huggare Department of Orthodontics, Karolinska Institutet, Institute of Odontology, Huddinge, Sweden; Department of Pedodontics and Orthodontics, Institute of Dentistry, University of Helsinki, Finland; Department of Radiology, Institute of Dentistry, University of Helsinki, Finland; Riihimäki Regional Hospital, Riihimäki, Finland; Department of Stomatognathic Physiology and Prosthetic Dentistry, Institute of Dentistry, University of Helsinki, Finland; Cleft Palate and Craniofacial Center, Department of Plastic Surgery, Helsinki University Central Hospital, HUS, Finland; Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Diseases, Surgical Hospital, HUCH, Helsinki, Finland

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1080/00016350310001695

Keywords:

Cervical Inclination, Craniofacial Morphology, Head Position, Head Posture, Trunk Asymmetry

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to detect possible associations between trunk and cervical asymmetry and facial symmetry. Frontal cephalograms prepared in the natural head position, representing 79 subjects (40 males, 39 females) with mild to moderate trunk asymmetry, were analyzed separately for thoracic humps, lumbar prominences, and cervical inclination by discriminating two groups: right-sided-dominant and left-sided-dominant. The differences between the groups were analyzed using an unpaired 2-group t test. The results showed that location of the thoracic humps and inclination of the cervical spine was predominantly right-sided, while the location of lumbar prominence was predominantly left-sided. Craniofacial morphological variables of the head and face were nearly equal for right-sided and left-sided thoracic humps and lumbar prominences, showing that moderate trunk asymmetry does not affect facial symmetry. Further, it was found that frontal head position in relation to the true vertical (VER/ORB) is stable in that the angle between the supraorbital and vertical lines is constantly maintained close to 90 degrees regardless of moderate trunk asymmetry, indicating that visual perception control is most important in orienting the head in frontal plane. Maintenance of the head position takes place by cervical spine adaptation.

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Published

2003-01-01

Issue

Vol. 61 No. 3 (2003): Acta Odontologica Scandinavica

Section

Articles