Vf. Ferrario et al., The effect of sex and age on facial asymmetry in healthy subjects: A cross-sectional study from adolescence to mid-adulthood, J ORAL MAX, 59(4), 2001, pp. 382-388
Purpose: The study assessed the effects of sex and age on 3-dimensional (3D
) soft-tissue facial asymmetry.
Patients and Methods: The 3D coordinates of selected soft-tissue facial lan
dmarks were digitized on 314 healthy white subjects (40 male and 33 female
adolescents, aged 12 to 15 years; 73 female and 89 male young adults, aged
18 to 30 years; and 41 male and 38 female adults, aged 31 to 56 years) by a
n electromagnetic instrument. Facial asymmetry was quantified by detecting
a plane of symmetry and the centers of gravity of the right and left hemifa
ces and by calculating the distance between the 2 centers of gravity (dista
nce from the symmetry [DFS]). Both absolute (millimeters) and percentage (o
f the nasion-center of gravity distance) DFS were obtained, as well as the
maximum normal asymmetry. The asymmetry of single landmarks was also quanti
fied.
Results: No gender- or age-related differences were found for both absolute
and percentage DFS (P > .05), The maximum normal asymmetry was slightly gr
eater in females than in males of corresponding age; within each sex, the l
argest values were found in the adolescent group. Tragion, gonion, and zygi
on were the most asymmetric landmarks in all groups (about 10% to 12% of th
e nasion-facial center of gravity distance), whereas the least asymmetric w
as endocanthion (4% to 6%).
Conclusions: A slight soft-tissue facial asymmetry was found in normal subj
ects. The maximum normal asymmetry could be useful in identifying borderlin
e asymmetric patients. (C) 2001 American Association of Oral and Maxillofac
ial Surgeons.