A scoping review of cephalometric normative data in children.

Objective: Understanding the orofacial characteristics and growth patterns in children is essential for both orthodontics and research on children with orofacial abnormalities. However, a concise resource of normative data on the size and relative position of these structures in different populations is not available. Our objective was to aggregate normative data to assess the growth of the orofacial skeletal structures in children with a well-balanced face and normal occlusion.

Methods: The MEDLINE, Embase, and Scopus databases were searched. Inclusion criteria included longitudinal and cross-sectional studies on cephalometric measurement of skeletal tissues and a study population ≤ 18 years with a well-balanced face and normal occlusion. Key study parameters were extracted, and knowledge was synthesized. A quality appraisal was performed using a 10-point scale.

Results: The final selection comprised of 12 longitudinal and 33 cross-sectional studies, the quality of which ranged from good to excellent. Our results showed that from childhood to adulthood, the length of the cranial base increased significantly while the cranial base angle remained constant; both the maxilla and mandible moved forward and downward. The profile becomes straighter with age.

Conclusions: Growth patterns in children with a well-balanced face and normal occlusion follow accepted theories of growth.