Characterization of facial asymmetry phenotypes in adult patients with skeletal Class III malocclusion using three-dimensional computed tomography and cluster analysis

Classification and characterization of facial asymmetry in adult patients with skeletal Class III malocclusion using cluster analysis

INTRODUCTION

This study aimed to analyze the comprehensive maxillofacial features of patients with skeletal Class III malocclusion and facial asymmetry to develop a classification system for diagnosis and surgical planning.

METHODS

A total of 161 adult patients were included, with 121 patients in the asymmetry group (menton deviation >2 mm) and 40 patients in the symmetry group (menton deviation ≤2 mm). Twenty-eight variables were determined, including transverse translation, roll and yaw of each facial unit, transverse width, mandibular morphology, and transverse dental compensation. Principal component (PC) analysis was conducted to extract PCs, and cluster analysis was performed using these components to classify the asymmetry group. A decision tree was constructed on the basis of the clustering results.

RESULTS

Six PCs were extracted, explaining 80.622% of the data variability. The asymmetry group was classified into 4 subgroups: (1) atypical type (15.7%) showed an opposite roll direction of maxillary dentition than of menton deviation; (2) compound type (34.71%) demonstrated significant ramus height differences, maxillary roll, and mandibular roll and yaw; (3) mandibular yaw type (44.63%) showed slight mandibular yaw without mandibular morphology asymmetry; and (4) maxillary-shift type (4.96%) shared similarities with the compound type but showed significant maxillary translation. The classification and regression tree model achieved a prediction accuracy of up to 85.11%.

CONCLUSIONS

This study identified 4 distinct phenotypes using cluster analysis and proposed tailored treatment recommendations on the basis of their specific characteristics. The classification results emphasized the importance of spatial displacement features, especially mandibular yaw, in diagnosing facial asymmetry. The established classification and regression tree model enables clinicians to identify patients conveniently.

'Study of the maxillary yaw on cone beam computed tomography: A preliminary report and comparison between two different dento-skeletal malocclusions'

OBJECTIVES

To assess the skeletal and dental maxillary transverse compensation (yaw) on the cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) three-dimensional reconstructed image of the skull in two groups of patients, both clinically affected by a class III malocclusion with deviation of the lower midline.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

An observational retrospective study was designed to analyse differences in two groups of patients, the first one was composed by patients affected by horizontal condylar hyperplasia, the second one by patients affected by dento-skeletal asymmetric class III malocclusion. Each group was composed by 15 patients. Transverse analysis was performed by measuring five landmarks (three bilateral and two uneven) with respect to a mid-sagittal plane; sagittal analysis was performed by measuring the sagittal distance on the mid-sagittal plane between bilateral points. Means were compared through inferential analysis.

RESULTS

In the condylar hyperplasia group, all differences between the two sides were not statistically significant, nor for canines' difference (P = .0817), for molars (P = .1105) or for jugular points (.05871). In the class III group, the differences between the two sides were statistically significant for molars (P = .0019) and jugular points (P = .0031) but not for canines (P = .1158). Comparing the two groups, significant differences were found only for incisors' midline deviation (P = .0343) and canine (P = .0177).

CONCLUSION

The study of the yaw on CBCT should be integrated into three-dimensional cephalometry and could help in differentiating the various malocclusion patterns.

A cross-sectional study on three-dimensional compensatory characteristics of maxillary teeth in patients with different types of skeletal Class III malocclusion with mandibular asymmetry

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to analyze three-dimensional dental compensation in patients with different types of skeletal Class III malocclusion with mandibular asymmetry, using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) and three-dimensional reconstruction measurement technology, thereby providing clinical guidance and reference for combined orthodontic and orthognathic treatment.

METHODS

81 patients with skeletal Class III malocclusion with mandibular asymmetry were selected in accordance with the inclusion criteria. According to a new classification method based on the direction and amount of menton deviation relative to ramus deviation, patients were divided into three groups called Type 1, Type 2, and Type 3. In Type 1, the direction of menton deviation was consistent with that of ramus deviation and the amount of menton deviation was greater than that of ramus deviation. In Type 2, the direction of menton deviation was consistent with that of ramus deviation and the amount of menton deviation was smaller than that of ramus deviation. In Type 3, the direction of menton deviation was inconsistent with that of ramus deviation. The maxillary occlusal plane (OP), anterior occlusal plane (AOP), and posterior occlusal plane (POP) were measured on reconstructed CBCT images. The vertical, transverse, and anteroposterior distances from maxillary teeth to reference planes and the 3D angles between the long axis of these teeth and reference planes were measured. These dental variables measured from the deviated and non-deviated sides were compared within each group, as well as among each other.

RESULTS

Of the 81 patients with asymmetrical Class III malocclusion, 52 patients were categorized in Type 1, 12 patients in Type 2, and 17 patients in Type 3. There were significant differences between deviated and non-deviated sides in Type 1 and Type 3 (p < 0.05). In Type 1, the vertical distances of maxillary teeth on the deviated side were lower than those on the non-deviated side, and AOP, OP, and POP on the deviated side were larger than those on the non-deviated side (p < 0.05). In Type 3, the vertical distances of the maxillary teeth on the deviated side were lower (p < 0.05), and the AOP and OP on the deviated side were larger than those on the non-deviated side. In all three groups, the transverse distances of the maxillary teeth from the mid-sagittal plane on the deviated side were larger than those on the non-deviated side (p < 0.05), and the angles between the long axis of maxillary teeth and the mid-sagittal plane on the deviated side were larger, respectively (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The maxillary teeth on the deviated side were observed to have smaller eruption heights in Type 1 and Type 3. In Type 1, AOP, POP, and OP were greater on the deviated side, while in Type 3, only AOP and OP were greater on the deviated side. The maxillary teeth of patients in all three groups on the deviated side were buccal and buccally inclined. Larger sample observations are still needed to further verify these findings.

Three-dimensional evaluation of mandibular width after mandibular asymmetric setback surgery using sagittal split ramus osteotomy

Objective

The study aimed to evaluate the changes in mandibular width after sagittal split ramus osteotomy (SSRO) in patients with mandibular asymmetric prognathism using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT).

Methods

Seventy patients who underwent SSRO for mandibular setback surgery were included in two groups, symmetric (n = 35) and asymmetric (n = 35), which were divided according to the differences in their right and left setback amounts. The mandibular width was evaluated three-dimensionally using CBCT images taken immediately before surgery (T1), 3 days after surgery (T2), and 6 months after surgery (T3). Repeated measures analysis of variance was applied to verify the differences in mandibular width statistically.

Results

Both groups showed a significant increase in the mandibular width at T2, followed by a significant decrease at T3. No significant difference was observed between T1 and T3 in any of the measurements. No significant differences were found between the two groups (p > 0.05).

Conclusions

After mandibular asymmetric setback surgery using SSRO, the mandibular width increased immediately but returned to its original width 6 months after surgery.

Facial Asymmetry Phenotypes in Adult Patients With Unilateral Cleft Lip and Palate and Skeletal Class III Malocclusion Using Principal Component Analysis and Cluster Analysis

The purpose of this study was to classify and characterize facial asymmetry (FA) phenotypes in adult patients with unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP) and skeletal class III malocclusion. The samples comprised 52 adult UCLP patients (36 men and 16 women; mean age, 22.43 y) who had undergone orthognathic surgery for correction of class III malocclusion. After measurement of 22 cephalometric parameters in posteroanterior cephalograms taken 1 month before orthognathic surgery, principal component analysis was performed to obtain 5 representative parameters [deviation (mm) of ANS (ANS-dev), maxillary central incisor contact point (Mx1-dev), and menton (Me-dev); cant (degree) of the maxillary anterior occlusal plane (MxAntOP-cant) and mandibular border (MnBorder-cant)]. K-means cluster analysis was conducted using these representative parameters. The differences in cephalometric parameters among the clusters were statistically analyzed. The FA phenotypes were classified into 4 types: No-cant-and-No-deviation type (cluster-4, n=16, 30.8%); MxMn-cant-MxMn-dev to the cleft-side type (cluster-3, n=4, 7.7%); Mx-cant-Mn-shift to the cleft-side type (cluster-2, n=15, 28.8%); and Mn-cant-Mn-dev to the noncleft-side type (cluster-1, n=17, 32.7%). Asymmetry in the maxilla and/or mandible were observed in 70% of patients. One third of patients (cluster-2 and cluster-3; sum, 36.5%) exhibited significant cant of MxAntOP induced by cleft and cant or shift of the mandible to the cleft side. Another one third of patients (cluster-1, 32.7%) demonstrated significant deviation and cant of the mandible to the noncleft-side despite cleft in the maxilla. This FA phenotype classification might be a basic guideline for diagnosis and treatment planning for UCLP patients.

Volumetric Analysis of the Jaws in Skeletal Class I and III Patients with Different Facial Divergence Using CBCT Imaging

Aim

The main objective was to evaluate any possible maxillary or mandibular volumetric difference between hyperdivergent skeletal Class III (CIII), normodivergent skeletal CIII, hypodivergent skeletal CIII, and normodivergent skeletal Class I (CI) patients using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) images. Also, the secondary objective was to investigate any possible correlation between CBCT-derived lateral cephalometric variables and the mandibular and maxillary volumes (MdV and MxV, respectively).

Materials and Methods

80 CBCT images of patients between 18 and 32 years of age were taken with one CBCT imaging device (Scanora 3D®, Soredex, Tuusula, Finland). The sample consisted of four groups: 20 hypodivergent skeletal CIII (11 males and 9 females), 20 normodivergent skeletal CIII (7 males and 13 females), 20 hyperdivergent skeletal CIII (8 males and 12 females), and 20 normodivergent skeletal CI (5 males and 15 females). The volumes of both jaws and the ratio of MxV/MdV were obtained using Mimics™ 19 software (Materialise, NV, Belgium), and 2D variables were obtained from CBCT-derived lateral cephalogram using AudaxCeph™ software (Orthodontic software suite, Ljubljana, Slovenia). One-way ANOVA test and Kruskal–Wallis analysis were employed to detect any possible significant difference between the volumetric variables, whereas Pearson's and Spearman's correlation coefficients were calculated to detect any possible relationship between the 2D variables and the volumetric measurements.

Results

There were no statistically significant differences in the maxillary volume or maxillary/mandibular ratio between the four groups (p=0.081 and 0.432, respectively). There was a significant difference in MdV between CIII hypodivergent (higher mean) and CIII hyperdivergent (p=0.039). There were some correlations between the MdV and 2D variables in the four studied groups especially in the posterior facial height (S-Go) and the facial depth (N-Go). There were some weaker correlations between the MxV and some 2D variables in the CIII hypodivergent and hyperdivergent groups.

Conclusions

The mandibular volume of the Class III hypodivergent patient was significantly greater than that of the Class III hyperdivergent patients. Correlations between the maxillary or mandibular volumes were found with some of the 2D variables. The volume of both jaws increased when the maxillofacial complex moved toward a horizontal growth pattern.