title: A computerized photographic assessment of the relationship between skeletal discrepancy and mandibular outline asymmetry.
abstract: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between mandibular outline asymmetry and skeletal discrepancy in a sample of orthodontic patients (33 females, 33 males) aged from 8 to 19 years. Skeletal discrepancy was assessed in both the anteroposterior and vertical planes, using standard cephalometric analyses. All were photographed under standardized conditions and the photographs were then digitized for analysis using a computerized system to assess differences in four variables (area, perimeter, compactness and moment-ratio) between the right and left sides of the mandibular outline. The results showed good repeatability of the photographic, cephalometric and digitization methods. A statistically significant relationship was found between mandibular outline asymmetry and both anteroposterior and vertical skeletal discrepancy in this sample, when compared with patients with an average skeletal pattern. There appeared to be a statistically significant relationship between a reduced ANB angle (< 3 degrees) and mandibular outline asymmetry (P = 0.051), as well as between an increase in lower face height and mandibular asymmetry (P = 0.023).
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthodontics, Guy's Hospital, London and Kingston Hospital, UK. sarah.good@virgin.net
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Good
authors.forename: Raymond
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Edler
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Wertheim
authors.forename: Darrel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Greenhill
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002508:Cephalometry / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D002648:Child; D005146:Facial Asymmetry / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D005147:Facial Bones / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D008311:Malocclusion, Angle Class I / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D008312:Malocclusion, Angle Class II / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D008313:Malocclusion, Angle Class III / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D008334:Mandible / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D008437:Maxilla / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D009295:Nasal Bone / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D023861:Photography, Dental / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011859:Radiography; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D014716:Vertical Dimension