Do We Need a World Conference?
Has the time arrived when we need "World" plans for analyzing the craniofacial complex? For the last 70 years various leaders have been going their separate ways, often measuring the cephalometric radiogram in quite an unscientific manner. Apparently there has been little thought toward finding the best, most scientific method of measuring the dimensions of the human head, and to verifying and standardizing our efforts. It would seem appropriate to begin to discuss a common effort to standardize the one most scientific method of measuring the craniofacial complex.
The American Association of Orthodontics had the foresight to hold such a conference in 1957, 27 years after Dr. Broadbent developed the cephalometric radiogram. This world conference was for the purpose of deciding the value of cephalometrics in clinical orthodontics.
A present world conference would be for the purpose of deciding the best, most scientific method of metric analysis of the craniofacial complex to chose the stable landmarks which would best aid in selecting the one best analysis of the anatomical complex. Such a conference would be similar to the meeting of scientists which met in Frankfort, Germany in 1929 to select the best method of measuring the human head.
The democratic method would be to allow all members who have developed analyses to present the merits of his or her analysis, but this would perpetuate the confusion that has prevailed for 70 years.
The expedient procedure would be to select an analysis based on landmarks of known stability from which vertical and horizontal distances can be accurately measured, and forget all other analyses. Then the conference can accept or reject it. A favorable decision would provide a standard for the future.
If the orthodontic world will have the courage and foresight to execute such a plan, then our profession will reap eternal benefits.
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