Aim: Vector relationship of the anterior corneal plane (ACP) and sella-nasion-orbitale (SNO) angle are used for assessing anteroposterior position of malar eminence. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the vector relationship of ACP and SNO angle and compare these parameters for assessing malar eminence.Materials and methods: Forty study subjects (18 males and 22 females) aged 14-24 years without any craniofacial syndromes, facial asymmetries or a history of previous orthodontic treatment were randomly selected for this study. Vector relationship of ACP was evaluated on profile photographs and SNO angle was measured on lateral cephalograms. Pearson correlation coefficient was used to evaluate correlation between vector relationship of ACP and SNO angle.Results: Sella-Nasion-Orbitale (SNO) angle was 5.08° smaller in subjects with negative vector relationship as compared to subjects with a positive vector relationship of ACP. Also, there was highly significant correlation between SNO angle and vector relationship of ACP (p < 0.001).
Conclusion:This study suggests that malar eminence is less prominent in subjects with a negative vector relationship as compared to a positive vector relationship of ACP.Clinical significance: Vector relationship of ACP can be used to assess malar eminence on profile photographs.