Methods: extrabuccal photographs (5 cm width x 7 cm height) in frontal aspect were taken from forty-four individuals (aged 6 to 10.5 years) showing skeletal posterior cross-bite, mixed dentition and without orthodontic treatment. A sheet of acetate paper was fixed over each photograph and the following points were marked on the right and left hemifaces: glabella and center of upper lip tubercle (midline), inner and outer corner of right and left eye, right and left external contour of the face. These points divided the face vertically in sixths (external, middle and internal at the right and left hemifaces).
Results: t-Student test for dependent samples (paired data) showed that individuals with right posterior cross-bite presented face asymmetries statistically (p<0.05) more accentuated to the right side compared to the left side (external and middle region and total sum of the right hemiface). Similarly, patients with left posterior cross-bite showed face asymmetries statistically (p<0.05) more accentuated to the left side compared to the right side (external region and the total sum of the left hemiface).
Conclusion: Individuals with skeletal posterior cross-bite presented face asymmetries at the same side of the malocclusion.