Quantification of facial morphology using stereophotogrammetry--demonstration of a new concept.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to introduce stereophotogrammetry as a three-dimensional registration method for quantifying facial morphology and detecting changes in facial morphology during growth and development.


METHODS
Using stereophotogrammetry, three-dimensional (3-D) co-ordinates for the bilateral landmarks Exocanthion and Cheilion and the midsagittal landmark Pronasale were determined in 10 subjects to ascertain the reproducibility of the method, and in 59 children to detect changes in facial morphology due to growth and development. Linear and angular measurements were calculated by means of the 3-D co-ordinates in order to quantify facial morphology. Significant differences were determined by means of analyses of variance (MANOVA).


RESULTS
During the observation period, significant (P < 0.01) changes in facial morphology were determined for the linear measurements. Advantages and disadvantages of current registration methods are discussed.


CONCLUSIONS
It is concluded that stereophotogrammetry is a suitable 3-D registration method for quantifying and detecting developmental changes in facial morphology.
Department of Orthodontics, Academic Centre for Dentistry Amsterdam (ACTA), The Netherlands.
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Ras
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Habets
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van Ginkel
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B
Prahl-Andersen
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D002508:Cephalometry / Q000379:methods*; D002648:Child; D005145:Face / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008445:Maxillofacial Development; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D010780:Photogrammetry / Q000379:methods*; D012016:Reference Values; D015203:Reproducibility of Results