Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

A three-dimensional computerized tomography study of the relationship between cranial base angle and maxillofacial architecture in caucasic human skull

  • Original article
  • Published:
international journal of stomatology & occlusion medicine

Summary

INTRODUCTION: The relationship of cranial base angle (CBA) and its influence on the craniofacial morphology remains unclear. The articular mobility of the cranium because of sutures and synchondroses suggests that the individual behavior of cranial base during ontogenic development determines the variable position and relation of the craniofacial structures. The purpose of this study was to analyze the correlation between cranial base angle and the morphology of different craniofacial structures in three-dimensionally reconstructed skulls of a European caucasic adult population. METHOD: Several three-dimensional angular and linear measurements obtained from cone beam computerized tomography scanning images of 302 skulls from the Weisbach collection at the Vienna Natural History Museum were analyzed and correlated. RESULTS: Significant correlations were found between CBA and different craniofacial structures including positive correlations with the inclination and spatial rotation of vomer bone, the inclination of the maxilla, and posterior occlusal plane. The vertical dimension of the total and the lower facial height showed a negative correlation; similar negative results were observed with occlusal plane height to Sella-Nasion plane, and the sagittal facial dimensions. CONCLUSION: The CBA shows an interesting interrelation with other structures on the three-dimensional morphology of craniofacial architecture.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Anderson D, Popovich F. Lower cranial base height versus cranial facial dimensions in angle class II malocclusion. Angle Orthod 1983;53:253–60

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Andreson D, Popovich F. Relation of cranial base flexure to cranial form and mandibular position. Am J Phys Anthropol 1983;61:181–7

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Andria L, Leite L, Prevatte T, King L. Correlation of the cranial base angle and its components with other dental/skeletal variables and treatment time. Angle Orthod 2004;74:361–6

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Anton S. Intentional cranal vault deformation and induced changes of the cranial base and face. Am J Phys Anthropol 1989;79:253–67

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Arponen H, Elf H, Evalahti M, Waltimo-Siren J. Reliability of cranial base measurements on lateral skull radiographs. Orthod Craniofac Res 2008;11:201

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bacon W, Eiller V, Hildwein M, Dubois G. The cranial base in subjects with dental and skeletal Class II. Eur J Orthod 1992;14:224–8

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bastir M, Rosas A, Lieberman DE, O'Higgins P. Middle cranial fossa anatomy and the origin of modern humans. Anat Rec 2008;291:130–40

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bastir M, Rosas A, O'Higgins P. Craniofacial levels and the morphological maturation of the human skull. J Anat 2006;209:637–54

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bastir M, Rosas A. Correlated variation between the lateral basicranium and the face: a geometric morphometric study in different human groups. Arch Oral Biol 2006;51:814–24

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bastir M, Rosas A. Hierarchical nature of morphological integration and modularity in the human posterior face. Am J Phys Anthropol 2005;128:26–34

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bathia SN, Leighton BC. A manual of facial growth a computer analysis of longitudinal cephalometric growth data. Malta: Oxford Medical Publications; 1993

    Google Scholar 

  • Bookstein FL, Gunz P, Mitteroecker P, Prossinger H. Cranial integration in Homo: singular warps analysis of the midsagittal plane in ontogeny and evolution. J Hum Evol 2003;44:167–87

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Brown A, Scarfe W, Scheetz J, Silveira A, Farman A. Linear accuracy of cone beam CT derived 3D images. Angle Orthodontist 2009;79:150–7

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Dhopatkar A, Bathia S, Rock P. An investigation into the relationship between the cranial base angle and malocclusion. Angle Orthod 2002;72:456–63

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Dibbetts JMH. Morphological association between the angle classes. Eur J Orthod 1996;18:111–8

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dixon A, Hoyte D, Ronning O. Fundamentals of craniofacial growth. New York: CRC Press; 1997

    Google Scholar 

  • Enlow D, Hans M. Essentials of facial growth. Philadelphia: WB Saunders Co; 1996

    Google Scholar 

  • Enlow D, McNamara JA. The neurocranial basis for facial form and pattern. Angle Orthod 1973;43:256–70

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Guyer EC, Ellis EE, McNamara JA, Behrents RG. Components of class III malocclusion in juveniles and adolescents. Angle Orthod 1986;56:7–30

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hopkin G, Houston W, James G. The cranial base as an aetiological factor in malocclusion. Angle Orthod 1968:38:250–5

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Jeffery N, Spoor F. Brain size and the human cranial base: a prenatal perspective. Am J Phys Anthropol 2002;118:324–40

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Jeffery N. Cranial base angulation and growth of the human fetal pharynx. Anat Rec A Discov Mol Cell Evol Biol 2005;284:491–9

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kerr WJS, Adams CP. Cranial base and jaw relationships. Am J Anthrop 1988;77:213–20

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kim YH, Vietas J. Anteroposterior dysplasia indicator: an adjunct to cephalometric differential diagnosis. Am J Orthod 1978;73:619–33

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kim YH. Overbite depth indicator with particular reference to anterior open-bite. Am J Orthod 1974;65:586–611

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Klocke A, Nanda RS, Kahl-Nieke B. Role of cranial base flexure in developing sagittal jaw discrepancies. Am J Orthod Dentofacial Orthop 2002;122:386–91

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lagravere M, Carey J, Toogood R, Major PW. Three dimensional accuracy of measurements made with software on cone beam computed tomography images. Am J Orthod Dentofacial Orthop 2008;134:112–6

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lieberman DE, Ross CF, Ravosa MJ. The primate cranial base:ontogeny. Function and integration. Am J Phys Anthropol 2000;113:117–69

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McCarthy RC, Lieberman DE. Posterior maxillary plane and anterior cranial architecture in primates. Anat Rec 2001;264:247–60

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Melsen B. The cranila base. Acta Odontol Scand 1974;32(Suppl. 62)

  • Mestriner W, Valente A. Facial prognathism and its relationships to cranial base in Brazilian children with class I malocclusions. Rev Odont USP 1989;3(2):324–33

    Google Scholar 

  • Muramatsu A, et al. Reproducibility of maxillofacial anatomic landmarks on 3-dimensional computed tomographic images determined with the 95% confidence ellipse method. Angle Orthod 2008;78:396–402

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ousterhout D, Melsen B. Cranial base deformity in Apert's syndrome. Plast Reconstr Surg 1982;69(2):254–63

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Periago D, et al. Linear accuracy and reliability of cone beam CT derived 3-dimensional images constructed using an orthodontic volumetric rendering program. Angle Orthod 2008;78:387–95

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Polat OO, Kaya B. Changes in cranial base morphology in different malocclusions. Orthod Craniofacial Res 2007;10:216–21

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ricketts RM. Provocations and perceptions in craniofacial orthopedics: RMO; 1989

  • Ross CF, Henneberg M. Basicranial flexion, relative brain size and facial kyphosis in Homo sapiens and some fossil hominids. Am J Phys Anthropol 1995;98:575–93

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Rothstein T, Phan XL. Dental and facial characteristics and growth of females and males with Class II division 1 malocclusion between the ages of 10 and 14 (revisited). Part II. Anteroposterior and vertical circumpubertal growth. Am J Orthod Dentofacial Orthop 2001;120:542–55

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sato S, Takamoto K, Fushima K, Akimoto S, Suzuki Y. A new orthodontic approach to mandibular lateral displacement malocclusion: Dentistry in Japan; 1989

  • Sato S. A treatment approach to malocclusion under the consideration of craniofacial dynamics. Grace Printing Press Inc.; 2001

  • Sato S. Orthodontic treatment of malocclusions by multiloop edgewise archwire, Advance Book: Daiichi Shika Syuppan; 2006

  • Sato S. Orthodontic treatment of patients with TMJ dysfunction: Tokyo Rinsho Syuppan; 1994

  • Singh GD, McNamara JA, Lozanoff S. Finite element analysis of the cranial base in subjects with class III malocclusion. Br J Orthod 1997;24:103–12

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Slavicek R. The masticatory organ. Austria: Gamma Medizinisch-Wissenchaftliche Fortbildungs-AG; 2002

  • Stahl F, Bacetti T, Franchi L, McNamara JA. Longitudinal growth changes in untreated subjects with class II division 1 malocclusion. Am J Orthod Dentofacial Orthop 2008;134:125–37

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Strait DS. Integration, phylogeny, and the hominid cranial base. Am J Phys Anthropol 2001;114:273–97

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Tanaka E, Sato S. Longitudinal alteration of the oclusal plane and development of different dentoskeletal frames during growth. Am J Orthod Dentofacial Orthop Online 2008;602.e1–e11

    Google Scholar 

  • Varella J. Early development traits in class II malocclusion. Acta Odontol Scand 1998;56:375–7

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang X, Mao J. Chondrocyte proliferation of the cranial base cartilage upon in vivo mechanical stresses. J Dent Res 2002;81:701–5

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wilhelm BM, Beck MF, Lidral AC, Vig KWL. A comparison of cranial base growth in class I and II skeletal patterns. Am J Orthod Dentofacial Orthop 2001;119:401–5

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Craniofacial Growth and Development Dentistry, Division of Orthodontics, Kanagawa Dental College, Yokosuka, Japan

    C. Basili

  2. Department of Pediatric and Preventive Dentistry, Universidad de Valparaiso, Valparaiso, Chile

    C. Basili

  3. Course Director of Dental Science, Danube-University, Krems, Austria

    R. Slavicek

  4. Department of Craniofacial Growth and Development Dentistry, Division of Orthodontics, Kanagawa Dental College, Yokosuka, Japan

    K. Tajima

  5. Department of Craniofacial Growth and Development Dentistry, Research Institute of Occlusion Medicine, Research Center of Brain and Oral Science – Division of Orthodontics, Kanagawa Dental College, Yokosuka, Japan

    S. Sato

Authors
  1. C. Basili
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. R. Slavicek
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. K. Tajima
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. S. Sato
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to C. Basili.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Basili, C., Slavicek, R., Tajima, K. et al. A three-dimensional computerized tomography study of the relationship between cranial base angle and maxillofacial architecture in caucasic human skull. J. Stomat. Occ. Med. 2, 205–215 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12548-009-0033-9

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12548-009-0033-9

Keywords

Search

Navigation