title: Comparison of facial morphologies between adult Chinese and Houstonian Caucasian populations using three-dimensional imaging.
abstract: The objective of this study was to compare the facial morphologies of an adult Chinese population to a Houstonian white population. Three-dimensional (3D) images were acquired via a commercially available stereophotogrammetric camera system, 3dMDface™. Using the system, 100 subjects from a Houstonian population and 71 subjects from a Chinese population were photographed. A complex mathematical algorithm was performed to generate a composite facial average (one for males and one for females) for each subgroup. The computer-generated facial averages were then superimposed based on a previously validated superimposition method. The facial averages were evaluated for differences. Distinct facial differences were evident between the subgroups evaluated. These areas included the nasal tip, the peri-orbital area, the malar process, the labial region, the forehead, and the chin. Overall, the mean facial difference between the Chinese and Houstonian female averages was 2.73±2.20mm, while the difference between the Chinese and Houstonian males was 2.83±2.20mm. The percent similarity for the female population pairings and male population pairings were 10.45% and 12.13%, respectively. The average adult Chinese and Houstonian faces possess distinct differences. Different populations and ethnicities have different facial features and averages that should be considered in the planning of treatment.
authors.affiliation: School of Dentistry, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wirthlin
authors.forename: C H
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Kau
authors.forename: J D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: English
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Pan
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Zhou
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000465:Algorithms; D044466:Asian People; D002508:Cephalometry / Q000379:methods*; D002680:Chin / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D002681:China; D005006:Ethnicity; D005145:Face / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D005260:Female; D005546:Forehead / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods*; D008046:Lip / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D008297:Male; D009666:Nose / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D009915:Orbit / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D010780:Photogrammetry / Q000379:methods; D012737:Sex Factors; D013781:Texas; D044465:White People; D055815:Young Adult; D015050:Zygoma / Q000033:anatomy & histology
keywords: orthodontics, 3D facial surfaces, ethnic populations, average faces