[Is Delaire's cephalometric analysis flexible? A quantified study].
BACKGROUND
Delaire's architectural analysis is a tool used in the maxillofacial field. Its use requires identifying landmarks teleradiographically in order to map appropriate lines dependent on these points. We studied the elasticity of the analysis.


METHODS
The C0 line technique was used to vary individually the spatial position of specific landmarks and lines. The consequences on the position of the Me point and the slope of the occlusal plane were tabulated.


RESULTS
Modifying the special position of the studied landmarks did not affect the final map drawn by the analysis, proving that Delaire's analysis has a certain degree of elasticity. It was noted however that the F4 line might be the determining factor.


CONCLUSIONS
After the mathematical and geometrical demonstration, the question is raised of whether or not there is an ideal and single craniofacial architecture for a given patient, taking into consideration the elasticity of the analysis and the problem of positioning the F4 line.
Nimeskern
N
N
cmf68@neuf.fr
Comiti
S
S
Gleizal
A
A
Bernard
P
P
Beziat
J-L
JL
D000328:Adult; D002508:Cephalometry / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D012015:Reference Standards