Prevalence of ponticulus posticus in Indian orthodontic patients

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence of complete ponticulus posticus in Indian orthodontic patients. METHODS: The presence and types of ponticuli posticus were investigated on 858 lateral cephalograms. RESULTS: Complete ponticulus posticus was found in 4.3% of the subjects studied with a male (5.33%) predominance over female in the population (3.76%). CONCLUSIONS: Ponticulus posticus is not a rare anomaly and the patient must be told of the implications and importance of detecting ponticulus posticus on a lateral cephalogram. This information can prove beneficial for the diagnosis of head and neck symptoms later.