title: [Three-dimensional superimposition of the skull base for the longitudinal evaluation of the effects of growth and of treatment].
abstract: To evaluate growth or treatment change, superimposition of serial radiographs on a stable reference structure is necessary. In 2-D cephalometrics, the cranial base is often used for this purpose because it shows minimal changes after neural growth is completed, but the cranial base landmarks in lateral or P-A cephalograms are unreliable when other orientations are evaluated. In this paper we present a novel method for 3-D superimposition based on fully-automated voxel-wise registration of the surface cranial base. The software packages allow quantitative assessment of changes between two time points via calculation of the Euclidean distances between the surfaces of the 3-D models, and visual assessment of the location and magnitude of changes in the jaws over time via graphical overlays in which changes are shown in color maps. This enables a detailed examination of the adaptation patterns for patients who experience clinically significant skeletal changes with growth and/or treatment.
authors: University of North Carolina, Department of Orthodontics, Chapel Hill, 27599-7450, USA. cevidanl@dentistry.unc.edu
authors: Lucia H S
authors: LH
authors: Cevidanes
authors: Martin
authors: M
authors: Styner
authors: William R
authors: WR
authors: Proffit
mesh_terms: D016723:Bone Remodeling / Q000502:physiology; D002508:Cephalometry / Q000379:methods*; D054893:Cone-Beam Computed Tomography / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods*; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008334:Mandible / Q000254:growth & development / Q000601:surgery; D008335:Mandibular Condyle / Q000254:growth & development; D008437:Maxilla / Q000254:growth & development / Q000601:surgery; D008445:Maxillofacial Development / Q000502:physiology*; D056948:Orthognathic Surgical Procedures; D010027:Osteotomy / Q000379:methods; D019291:Skull Base / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D012984:Software; D014584:User-Computer Interface