Abstract
Background:Three dimensional facial scanning is an innovation that provides opportunity for digital data acquisition, smile analysis and communication of treatment plan and outcome with patients.Objectives:To assess the applicability of 3D facial scanning as compared to 2D clinical photography.Materials & Methods:Sample consisted of thirty Caucasians aged between 25 and 50 years old, without any dentofacial deformities. Fifteen soft-tissue facial landmarks were identified twice by 3 observers on 2D and 3D images of the 30 subjects. Five linear proportions and nine angular measurements were established in the orbital, nasal and oral regions. These data were compared to anthropometric norms of young Caucasians. Furthermore, a questionnaire was completed by 14 other observers, according to their personal judgment of the 2D and 3D images.Results:Quantitatively, proportions linking the three facial regions in 3D were closer to the clinical standard (for 2D 3.3% and for 3D 1.8% error rate). Qualitatively, in 67% of the cases, observers were as confident about 3D as they were about 2D. Intra-observer Correlation Coefficient (ICC) revealed a better agreement between observers in 3D for the questions related to facial form, lip step and chin posture.Conclusion:The laser facial scanning could be a useful and reliable tool to analyze the circumoral region for orthodontic and orthognathic treatments as well as for plastic surgery planning and outcome.
Highlights
Over the past decade, noninvasive imaging techniques such as laser scanning have progressively gained popularity for oral and maxillofacial soft-tissue surface analysis [1, 2]
Proportions linking the three facial regions in 3D were closer to the clinical standard than proportions in 2D
The distribution of linear ratios showed that 3D values were closer to the clinical standard in the ratio concerning endocanthion distance relatively to nose width at alare region (EnR; Endocanthion left (EnL)) / (AlR; Alare left (AlL))
Summary
Noninvasive imaging techniques such as laser scanning have progressively gained popularity for oral and maxillofacial soft-tissue surface analysis [1, 2]. This is mainly due to its non-invasive and non-ionizing properties. This novel 3D technology, known as facial scanning, gives a realistic representation of the head and face of the patient, which can be further used to analyze maxillofacial deformities, evaluate surgical outcomes, and assist in the diagnostic process in orthodontics, treatment planning, and follow-up [3, 4]. Three dimensional facial scanning is an innovation that provides opportunity for digital data acquisition, smile analysis and communication of treatment plan and outcome with patients
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