3D Soft Tissue Analysis – Part 2: Vertical Parameters

Abstract

The increasing relevance of 3D methods in orthodontic diagnostics and treatment planning calls for the development of new analysis methods and the definition of three-dimensional mean values. The aim of this study was to develop a reliable three-dimensional (3D) analysis of facial soft tissues. Our objectives were to determine vertical 3D mean values and define the relationship between vertical skeletal parameters and digitally-recorded 3D soft tissue parameters. A total of 100 adult patients (female symbol = 53, male symbol = 47) of Caucasian ethnic origin were included in the study. Patients with syndromes, cleft lip and palate, noticeable asymmetry or anomalies in the number of teeth were excluded. Arithmetic means for three vertical 3D soft tissue parameters were calculated. The parameters were analyzed biometrically in terms of their reliability and gender-specific differences. Furthermore, the 3D soft tissue values were analyzed with regard to any correlations with vertical cephalometric values. In addition, we employed stepwise discriminant analysis, a multivariate statistical method, to examine the extent to which correct assessment of craniofacial morphology is possible by referring to those 3D parameters. We successfully defined reproducible 3D mean values for the 3D soft tissue parameters, demonstrating highly significant correlations between the vertical 3D soft tissue measurements and cephalometric measurements. 89.8% of the patients could be correctly assigned to a vertical or horizontal craniofacial morphology according to the 3D soft tissue values. 3D soft tissue analysis provides information about vertical skeletal parameters, allowing assessment of vertical craniofacial morphology. Further investigation will be required so that 3D soft tissue diagnosis can be integrated into treatment planning and assessment as a supportive diagnostic tool in the future.