Evaluation of facial soft tissue asymmetric changes in Class III patients after orthognathic surgery using three-dimensional stereophotogrammetry

The aim of this study was to investigate changes in facial soft tissue asymmetry over time after orthognathic surgery in Class III patients using three-dimensional stereophotogrammetry. The study included 101 patients with a skeletal Class III malocclusion (72 female, 29 male; age range 19-53 years, mean age 28.6 years) who underwent orthognathic surgery. The minimum follow-up was 12 months. Three-dimensional photographs were acquired using the 3dMDtrio stereophotogrammetry system, and 21 anthropometric landmark positions were evaluated at three time points: before surgery (T0), 6 months (T1) and 12 months (T2) after surgery. Facial asymmetry was assessed and classified as follows: 0-2 mm, mild; 2-5 mm, moderate;> 5 mm, severe. The average distance for whole face asymmetry differed between T0 (median 0.76 mm) and T1 (median 0.70 mm); however, there was no statistically significant difference at any time point. The chin volume asymmetry score differed significantly between T0 (median 1.11 mm) and T1 and T2 (median 1.08 mm for both; P < 0.001 and P = 0.001, respectively), but not between T1 and T2 (P = 0.061). The study findings indicate that the asymmetry of the facial soft tissues has the potential to return after 6 months, without reaching the baseline.

3D follow-up study of facial asymmetry after developmental dysplasia of the hip

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the change in facial asymmetry among subjects treated for developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) from childhood to adolescence.

SETTING AND SAMPLE POPULATION

A total of 39 adolescents (26 females and 13 males), born and treated for DDH during 1997-2001, participated in the first examination in 2007 (T1; at the age of 8.2) and in the follow-up in 2016 (T2; at the age of 16.6).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

In this longitudinal study, three-dimensional (3D) images were taken using a 3DMD face system based on a stereophotogrammetric method. Facial asymmetry was determined as the average distance (mm) calculated between the original and superimposed mirrored face and the symmetry percentage (%) calculated as the face area where the distance between the original face and the mirrored surface does not exceed 0.5 mm.

RESULTS

Results showed increased asymmetry from T1 to T2. The average distance increased for whole face (from 0.51 mm to 0.59 mm, P = .001), upper face (from 0.41 mm to 0.49 mm, P = .005), mid-face (from 0.48 mm to 0.57, P = .002) and lower face (from 0.74 mm to 0.85 mm, P = .147). Facial symmetry percentage decreased for whole face from 61.23% to 55.38% (P = .011), for upper face from 69.27% to 62.24% (P = .005) and for mid-face from 62.29% to 55.63% (P = .007) and for lower face from 43.37% to 42.19% (P = .66).

CONCLUSION

Facial asymmetry increases from childhood to adulthood in subjects treated for DDH. Orthodontic treatment does not eliminate this asymmetric facial growth.