Analysis and Evaluation of Tibeto-Burman Population from Northeast India: An Anthropometric Study

Objective: To analyse the facial proportions of the Indian population belonging to the Tibeto-Burman population from Northeast India. Materials and Methods: An anthropometric cross-sectional cohort study was conducted on Indian population enrolling subjects belonging to the Tibeto-Burman population from Northeast India with same racial descent and residing in India. This study evaluated 90 subjects for facial anthropometric data. Subjects belonging to the age group of 18 to 25 years, healthy subjects with normal body mass index, subjects with the well-balanced face and subjects with Class I occlusal relationship with near normal dental arches based on the British Standards Institute’s incisor classification were included. Subjects with known developmental or acquired facial abnormalities and subjects with either Class II or Class III occlusal relationship or with dental crowding or spacing were excluded. Both linear and angular measurements were taken to determine the morphologic characteristics of the maxillofacial complex. Results: Sexual dimorphism was noted with the men exhibiting a greater and wider dimension than their counterparts. The populace revealed a flatter facial profile with reduced nasal projection and increased malar prominence. The intercanthal distance, width of the palpebral fissure and the frontonasal angle were lesser than the Caucasian race. When compared to Caucasian race, they showed smaller lower facial height, width of mouth, nasal bridge inclination, Naso-labial angle, length of nose, columella length, intercanthal distance, and chin throat angle. Conclusion: The facial proportions of the Tibeto-Burman population from Northeast India exhibited significant variances in certain parameters from that of the Caucasian race.