Analysis of tweed’s facial Triangle in black brazilian youngsters with normal occlusion

A cephalometric study was carried on a sample of 37 Black youngsters of both genders (16 males, 21 females), descending from Black Brazilian parents or grandparents, age varying from 10 to 14 years, from the city of Piracicaba, Brazil, and all of them with normal occlusion. None of them has ever undergone orthodontic treatment. This study aimed to ascertain the mean values for the cephalometric measures which take part on the Tweed’s Facial Triangle: FMA, FMIA and IMPA, and we also tried to verify the occurrence of sexual dimorphism in this ethnic group. Statistical analysis (Student’s test, 5%) of the results show that this ethnic group presented lower incisors with greater inclination and a more convex facial profile, but no sexual dimorphism.