Pitch, roll, and yaw: Describing the spatial orientation of dentofacial traits

The value of systematically enhancing the Angle classification by including transverse and vertical characteristics in addition to anteroposterior relationships for the face and the dentition is universally accepted. Three aeronautical rotational descriptors (pitch, roll, and yaw) are used here to supplement the planar terms (anteroposterior, transverse, and vertical) in describing the orientation of the line of occlusion and the esthetic line of the dentition. Each of the latter traits affects the modern clinical practice of orthodontics because of its greater focus on dentofacial traits beyond the correction of malocclusion. Consistent with the principle that every orthodontic intervention should begin with a thorough consideration of variation in a patient’s dentofacial traits, this article offers further refinement of diagnostic description and classification.