Journal of Dental Medicine

Statement of Problem: Cephalometric findings are of high importance in making decision about orthodontic treatment plans and orthognathic surgeries. Natural head position (NHP) is considered as a useful and exact radiographic technique.

Aim: The aim of the present study was to compare two techniques, namely Standard and NHP, in lateral cephalometry.
Materials and Methods: In this cross- sectional study, performed in Shiraz. 138 randomly selected students {70 males .and 68 females), age ranging from (13-15). were evaluated clinically and radiographically. None of them had a history of orthodontic treatment, head and face fracture or surgical operations. Lateral cephalograms were taken in both standard and natural head position techniques, for each student. For statistical analysis, l-lest for paired samples, was done.
Results: This study showed that in anterior-posterior dimension, among angles with significant differences in two techniques, those of standard one were more reliable, whereas in vertical dimension.statistical differences showed natural technique as more useful one.
Conclusion: Due to the fact that natural cephalometry requires more patient cooperation, more time and a higher complex technique, it is not suggested, except when different clinical and cepholomeiric findings are observed.