AIM: This study assessed the reproducibility of natural head position (NHP) in children. METHODS: 25 children, 12 female and 13 male, aged from 8 to 12 years old, patients of Dentistry School of the State University of Maringá were photographed. Photographs were taken in NHP, using a digital camera, with and without cephalostat. A vertical line (VL) was used as reference for measurements. The photographs were repeated after a 15-day interval respecting the same protocol. Reproducibility of NHP between both moments of photographs was evaluated using an angular measurement between the reference vertical line and a profile line, from soft pogonion and upper lip point. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Although some positional variations have suggested that patients in these ages should receive additional orientation on NHP photographs, there were no significant differences in reproducibility of NHP in this 15-day interval, with or without auxiliary cephalostat. NHP showed to be a good method of reproducibility in children.
Natural head position; True vertical line; Orthodontics; Children
