Three-dimensional facial morphometry in patients rehabilitated with implant-supported prostheses

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to assess a low-cost, non-invasive facial morphometric digitizer to assist the practitioner in three-dimensional soft-tissue changes before and after oral rehabilitation. The method should provide quantitative data to support an objective assessment of the facial esthetic outcome [1]. Twenty-two patients aged 45-82 years, all with edentulous maxilla and mandible, were assessed both before and after receiving their definitive complete implant-supported prostheses (each received 4-11 implants in each dental arch; full-arch fixed prostheses were made). The three-dimensional coordinates of 50 soft-tissue facial landmarks were collected with a non-invasive digitizer; labial and facial areas, volumes, angles and distances were compared without/ with the prostheses [2]. Dental prostheses induced significant reductions in the nasolabial, mentolabial and interlabial angles, with increased labial prominence (p<0.05, Wilcoxon test). Lip vermilion area and volume significantly increased; significant increments were found in the vertical and anteroposterior labial dimensions. The presence of the dental prostheses significantly (p<0.001) modified the three-dimensional positions of several soft-tissue facial landmarks. The current approach enabled quantitative evaluation of the final soft-tissue results of oral rehabilitation with implant-supported prostheses, without submitting the patients to invasive procedures. The method could assess the three-dimensional appearance of the facial soft tissues of the patient while planning the provisional prosthetic restoration, providing quantitative information to prepare the best definitive prosthesis. Dote ricerca: FSE, Regione Lombardia