title: Three-dimensional evaluation of the relationship between jaw divergence and facial soft tissue dimensions.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the relationship between mandibular divergence and vertical and transverse dimensions of the face.
  
  
  METHODS
  A sample was recruited from the orthodontic clinic of the University of Otago, New Zealand. The recruited participants (N  =  60) were assigned to three different groups based on the mandibular plane angle (hyperdivergent, n  =  20; normodivergent, n  =  20; and hypodivergent, n  =  20). The sample consisted of 31 females and 29 males, with a mean age of 21.1 years (SD ± 5.0). Facial scans were recorded for each participant using a three-dimensional (3D) white-light scanner and then merged to form a single 3D image of the face. Vertical and transverse measurements of the face were assessed from the 3D facial image.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The hyperdivergent sample had a significantly larger total and lower anterior facial height than the other two groups (P < .05), although no difference was found for the middle facial height (P > .05). Similarly, there were no significant differences in the transverse measurements of the three study groups (P > .05). Both gender and body mass index (BMI) had a greater influence on the transverse dimension.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Hyperdivergent facial types are associated with a long face but not necessarily a narrow face. Variations in facial soft tissue vertical and transversal dimensions are more likely to be due to gender. Body mass index has a role in mandibular width (GoGo) assessment.
authors.affiliation: a  PhD Student, Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive Science and Oral Science, University of Naples "Federico II,", Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Rongo
authors.forename: Joseph Saswat
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Antoun
authors.forename: Yi Xin
authors.initials: YX
authors.lastname: Lim
authors.forename: George
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Dias
authors.forename: Rosa
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Valletta
authors.forename: Mauro
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Farella
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D059925:Anatomic Landmarks / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002508:Cephalometry / Q000379:methods; D002680:Chin / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005143:Eyelids / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005145:Face / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005260:Female; D005624:Frontal Bone / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008334:Mandible / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D009295:Nasal Bone / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D009666:Nose / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D009915:Orbit / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D011859:Radiography; D012737:Sex Factors; D014716:Vertical Dimension; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Craniofacial morphology; Jaw divergence; Soft tissue analysis; White-light scanner