The cephalometric analyses from a lateral cranial radiograph, are wide and varied considering both functional and facial aesthetic patterns. Among the measurement techniques in cephalometry, Ricketts and McNamara are widely used; they both give importance to determine the position of the maxilla and mandible with different skeletal relationships. The objective of this research is to compare both techniques in a young population of Ecuador. A concordance analysis was performed using Cohen's kappa index between the results of the measurements corresponding to 44 lateral cephalic radiographs of young subjects between 18 and 27 years of age, of both sexes. In relation to the maxillary position, 56.82 % (95 % CI: 42.18 % - 71.45 %) coincide in the diagnosis of maxillary protrusion. Cohen's kappa concordance index was 0.599 (95 % CI: 0.354-0.854) with a p-value < 0.05. In relation to the mandibular position, 50.0 % (95% CI: 35.23 % - 64.77 %) coincide in the diagnosis of mandibular retrusion. Cohen's kappa index was 0.460 (95 % CI 0.229 - 0.691) with a p-value < 0.05. It is concluded that, despite handling different cephalometric reference points, the two craniofacial measurement techniques are useful for the study of maxilla and mandible position. There are differences between some analyses of both studies that may affect the therapeutic selection of potential patients.

KEY WORDS: Facial morphology; Cephalometry; Facial deformity.