Vertical Skeletal Patterns As Predictors of Functional Need in Orthognathic Patients: A Retrospective Study Based on Ioftn Scores Publisher



Borzabadifarahani A ; Olkun HK ; Eslamipour F
Source: Journal of Maxillofacial and Oral Surgery Published:2026

Abstract

Objectives: To assess the relationship between the Index of Orthognathic Functional Treatment Need (IOFTN) and vertical skeletal patterns in two samples of orthognathic patients. Methodology: Two retrospective samples of orthognathic patients were included: Iranian (n = 103; 58 females, 45 males; mean age = 23.47 ± 6.44 years) and Turkish (n = 200; 120 females, 80 males; mean age = 23.4 ± 5.4 years). IOFTN scores and two measures of vertical skeletal pattern were recorded: GoGnSN° in the Turkish sample and lower anterior face height% (LAFH%) in the Iranian sample. The chi-square test assessed the association between vertical skeletal pattern categories (GoGnSN° and LAFH%) and IOFTN treatment need categories (Venugoplan et al. in J Oral Maxillofac Surg 70:e77–86, 2012;Khechoyan in Semin Plast Surg 27:133–136, 2013;Achal et al. Dent Update 45:1048–1056, 2018;Perkovic et al. Orthod Craniofac Res 25:112–118, 2022;Kerr et al. Br J Orthod 19:21–24, 1992). Spearman’s correlation coefficient (r) was used to examine the relationship between functional need (IOFTN score) and vertical skeletal pattern (GoGnSN° or LAFH%). Results: Overall, 68% of the Iranian sample and 64% of the Turkish sample were categorized as having increased vertical proportions. In the Iranian sample, a significant association was found between vertical skeletal pattern categories (LAFH%) and IOFTN treatment need categories (χ² = 23.110, p < 0.001). However, no significant association was observed between vertical skeletal pattern categories (GoGnSN°) and IOFTN treatment need categories in the Turkish sample (χ² = 2.891, p = 0.576). In the Iranian sample, a weak positive correlation was found between LAFH% and IOFTN score (r = 0.299, p = 0.002). No significant correlation was found between GoGnSN° and IOFTN in the Turkish sample (r = 0.062, p = 0.381). Conclusion: LAFH% may be more closely related to the functional aspects of dentofacial deformity, as assessed by IOFTN, than GoGnSN°. Future research should evaluate the relationship between IOFTN and vertical skeletal measurements by assessing both vertical parameters within the same cohort. © The Author(s) 2026.