Vf. Ferrario et al., Three-dimensional facial morphometric assessment of soft tissue changes after orthognathic surgery, ORAL SURG O, 88(5), 1999, pp. 549-556
Citations number
30
Categorie Soggetti
Dentistry/Oral Surgery & Medicine
Journal title
ORAL SURGERY ORAL MEDICINE ORAL PATHOLOGY ORAL RADIOLOGY AND ENDODONTICS
Objective. in this study, a 3-dimensional system with landmark representati
on of the soft tissue facial surface was applied for the evaluation of faci
al changes occurring after orthognathic surgery in 5 patients.
Study design. Standardized facial landmark acquisitions were performed befo
re and 1 year after surgery (combined maxillary Le Fort I and sagittal mand
ibular osteotomies). The 3-dimensional coordinates of 22 facial soft tissue
points were collected on each subject through use of a computerized noninv
asive method and used to calculate a set of selected parameters.
Results. Three-dimensional soft tissue analysis of patients was in general
agreement with the type of surgery performed, with volumetric contraction o
f the lower facial third and expansion of the middle facial third. Moreover
, negative effects of surgery were quantified (eg, an increase in alar base
dimensions); the global asymmetry of facial soft tissues was increased by
intervention, but asymmetry in the lower facial third was reduced.
Conclusions. The method used in this study proved useful as a complementary
diagnostic aid, enabling quantitative evaluation of the final soft tissue
results of surgery, which were proportional to those expected on the basis
of the type of treatment and skeletal data.