Soft Tissue Facial Morphology in Growing Patients with Different Occlusal Classes

Soft Tissue Facial Morphology in Growing Patients with Different Occlusal Classes

7 October 2024 | Niccolò Cenzato, Marco Farronato, Francesco Carlo Tartaglia, Lucia Giannini, Angelo Michele Inchingolo, Gianna Dipalma, Cinzia Maspero and Francesco Inchigolo
This study investigates the three-dimensional facial morphology of 269 growing children with different occlusal classes (Class I and II). The research uses a non-invasive computerized system to automatically collect facial landmarks and reconstruct three-dimensional coordinates. The analysis focuses on 16 facial landmarks, from which 10 angular and 15 linear measurements, as well as five direct distance rates, were derived. The mean values for each age class were calculated separately for children with bilateral Angle Class I occlusion and compared with those for children with bilateral Class II occlusion. The results showed significant differences in three-dimensional angular measurements between children with Class I and II occlusions. Class II children exhibited more convex faces in the sagittal plane and a less prominent lower jaw compared to Class I children. However, no significant differences were observed in linear measurements, except for the lower facial height rate, which varied inconsistently across age groups between the two occlusion types. The findings highlight distinct three-dimensional facial morphological differences between children with Class I and II occlusions. While Class II children tended to have more convex facial profiles and less prominent lower jaws, linear measurements showed minimal variation between the two occlusion types. These results emphasize the importance of three-dimensional analysis in understanding facial morphology in growing patients with different occlusal patterns. The study also demonstrates the potential of non-invasive 3D facial scanning in orthodontic diagnosis and treatment planning, offering a more accurate and comprehensive assessment of soft tissue morphology compared to traditional cephalometric methods. The study's findings could help clinicians better visualize and understand facial soft tissue characteristics, leading to more effective treatment planning and improved patient outcomes.This study investigates the three-dimensional facial morphology of 269 growing children with different occlusal classes (Class I and II). The research uses a non-invasive computerized system to automatically collect facial landmarks and reconstruct three-dimensional coordinates. The analysis focuses on 16 facial landmarks, from which 10 angular and 15 linear measurements, as well as five direct distance rates, were derived. The mean values for each age class were calculated separately for children with bilateral Angle Class I occlusion and compared with those for children with bilateral Class II occlusion. The results showed significant differences in three-dimensional angular measurements between children with Class I and II occlusions. Class II children exhibited more convex faces in the sagittal plane and a less prominent lower jaw compared to Class I children. However, no significant differences were observed in linear measurements, except for the lower facial height rate, which varied inconsistently across age groups between the two occlusion types. The findings highlight distinct three-dimensional facial morphological differences between children with Class I and II occlusions. While Class II children tended to have more convex facial profiles and less prominent lower jaws, linear measurements showed minimal variation between the two occlusion types. These results emphasize the importance of three-dimensional analysis in understanding facial morphology in growing patients with different occlusal patterns. The study also demonstrates the potential of non-invasive 3D facial scanning in orthodontic diagnosis and treatment planning, offering a more accurate and comprehensive assessment of soft tissue morphology compared to traditional cephalometric methods. The study's findings could help clinicians better visualize and understand facial soft tissue characteristics, leading to more effective treatment planning and improved patient outcomes.
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