[Congenital absence of upper anterior teeth  a dentofacial morphologic analysis].
OBJECTIVE
This study was designed to examine the dentofacial morphology of the children in Shanghai with congenital absence of upper anterior teeth.


METHODS
Cephalometric analysis for 37 children with congenital absence of upper anterior teeth was conducted and was compared with that of the normal ones.


RESULTS
(1) There was no significant difference in all measurements between gender. (2) Craniofacial defection included a small SNA a small ANB a small AoBo a small angle of convexity,and a large AB plane angle. Vertical facial dimensions which was shown by Y axis and mandibular plane angle significantly decreased. Examination for soft tissue also revealed a small convexity of soft tissue and a large CmSnUL. (3) A compensative proclination of the upper central incisors as well as the upper lip was also found.


CONCLUSIONS
Patients with congenital absence of upper anterior teeth might have a small maxilla a relatively normal mandibular dimension an anticlock rotation of the mandible plane, and a compensative proclination of the upper central incisors and the upper lip.
Department of Orthodontics, School of Stomatology, Shanghai Second Medical University, Shanghai 200011, China. jiguoping31@yahoo.com.cn
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