title: Harmonic analysis and clustering of facial profiles.
abstract: The profiles of 83 healthy young adults were traced from right-side photographs, and then digitized with an image analyzer; each profile thus consisted of a series of coordinates. A dedicated computer program using Fourier analysis resulted in an equation of a curve that interpolated all profile points. By means of cluster analysis, profile equations were divided; two clusters each were found for male and female subjects. A mean profile was calculated for each of the clusters, so that four mean profiles were obtained. These profiles were compared with esthetic parameters found in literature; the results showed that the conventional parameters could sometimes give misleading information for orthodontic and craniofacial orthopedic treatment plans.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Human Anatomy, University of Milan Faculty of Medicine, Italy.
authors.forename: V F
authors.initials: VF
authors.lastname: Ferrario
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Sforza
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mianí
authors.forename: C E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Poggio
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Schmitz
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002508:Cephalometry; D016000:Cluster Analysis; D004954:Esthetics; D005145:Face / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D005260:Female; D005583:Fourier Analysis; D006801:Humans; D008046:Lip / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D008297:Male; D009666:Nose / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D010347:Patient Care Planning; D012737:Sex Factors