By Jay W. Gerber, DDS, Richard T. Beistle, DDS and Mr. Thomas S. Magill Modern orthodontic diagnostics require an extensive knowledge of not only occlusion but of craniofacial growth. The study of cephalometrics is an age-old concept advanced by hundreds of orthodontic experts, societies and associations for the purposes of nomenclature, diagnos-tic and therapeutic treatment planning. The authors have advanced and improved upon the original Sassouni Plus Cephalometric Analysis to allow for a more neuromuscular functional evaluation. Additional considerations include occlusal, upper airway and craniocervical evaluation of the patient presenting for orthodontic, airway and/or occlusal therapy. D r. Richard Beistle of Buchanan, MI, first intro-duced Sassouni Plus. This analysis had its origin from orthodontist Dr. Viken Sassouni of the University of Pittsburgh. Dr. Sassouni taught orthodontics at the university’s School of Dental Medicine, and he developed the original analysis in the late 1950s Fig. 1 for use with the traditional tech-niques of the time. Sassouni's research may have been one of the first applications of computers in dentistry. However, Sassouni was unaware of the usefulness of the analysis in evaluating patients, either from a European style func-tional perspective or from the most modern physiologic perspective. After Dr. Beistle adapted the analy-sis, Dr. Jay W. Gerber discovered its importance in the evaluation from a neuromuscular perspective. In 1987, he advanced the diagnosis for a more complete airway and craniomandibu-lar analysis. Approximately 10 years later, Dr. Beistle incorporated cranio-cervical considerations. Understanding Sassouni Plus The following information will allow the treating dentist to better interpret the diagnostic data available in the analysis. Once the completed analysis is in your hands, you are well on your way to a successful case diagnosis. So how do you use this information in diagnosis, treatment sequencing and in appliance selec-tion? The analysis is also useful in evaluating TMJ and airway function. First, we will go down the bottom line, item-by-item, to see how you can make the most use of the advanced Sassouni Plus. (Fig. 1) The “bottom line” first proposed by Dr. Beistle allows one a quick look at the important points of the evaluation. 22 Fall 2021 JAOS
Journal of the American Orthodontic Society Fall 2021: Page 22
