A three-dimensional soft tissue analysis of 16 skeletal class III patients following bimaxillary surgery.
A three-dimensional soft tissue study of the results of surgery in a group of 16 skeletal Class III adult patients following orthognathic surgery was carried out using laser scans (Arridge et al., 1985). The patient group was compared to a control group of the same population. Laser scans were taken prior to surgery, 3 months post-surgery, and at least 1 year after retention. Preoperative comparison to the control groups revealed that the facial disproportion related to both the maxilla and the mandible. Le Fort I advancements resulted in broadening of the lateral aspects of the nose, advancement of the dorsum, and overcorrection of the alar bases. There was a degree of change over the cheeks bilaterally, because of alterations in the general drape of the soft tissues. There was a degree of overcorrection in the female group following mandibular set back but the male group were still more prognathic, when compared to the control group. There was a marked degree of relapse in the mandible from 3 months to 1 year postoperatively, with a resultant anterior movement of the maxillary arch. Laser scanning has proved to be a simple non-invasive method of measuring three-dimensionally, and is a very useful tool in auditing surgical outcome and measuring surgical relapse.
McCance
A M
AM
University College Dental Hospital and School, London.
Moss
J P
JP
Wright
W R
WR
Linney
A D
AD
James
D R
DR
D000328:Adult; D002508:Cephalometry / Q000379:methods*; D002610:Cheek / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D002680:Chin / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D005123:Eye / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D005145:Face; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005546:Forehead / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D006801:Humans; D007834:Lasers; D008046:Lip / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D008297:Male; D008313:Malocclusion, Angle Class III / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D008334:Mandible / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D008437:Maxilla / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D009666:Nose / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D010027:Osteotomy / Q000379:methods; D012815:Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted