A Cone-beam Computed Tomography Study Evaluating Soft Tissue Thickness for Midline and Bilateral Landmarks in Adult Patients with Different Vertical Skeletal Patterns
Advina Mary Jasper S, Dilip Srinivasan, Poornima Jnaneshwar, Rasiga Gandhi, Ravi Kannan
Citation Information :
S AM, Srinivasan D, Jnaneshwar P, Gandhi R, Kannan R. A Cone-beam Computed Tomography Study Evaluating Soft Tissue Thickness for Midline and Bilateral Landmarks in Adult Patients with Different Vertical Skeletal Patterns. World J Dent 2024; 15 (10):843-852.
Aim: This retrospective observational study evaluated soft tissue thickness at midline and bilateral landmarks in adult patients with varying vertical skeletal patterns.
Materials and methods: Eighty-four patient cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans were divided into three groups, with 28 in each group, based on their mandibular plane angle to the sella-nasion plane: average (28–34°), vertical (≤35°), and horizontal (≤27°). Carestream (CS) three-dimensional (3D) imaging software was used to import and access the CBCT images on the personal computer. Facial soft tissue thickness (FSTT) measurements at 34 craniofacial landmarks were made using Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine (DICOM) software, which enabled viewing the image in different slices. A 3D cephalometric tool in the software facilitated measurements after landmark identification on bone and subsequent soft tissue visualization through image enhancement.
Results: Reduced STT was observed in the hyperdivergent (vertical) group at five bilateral landmarks: rhinion, mid-ramus, mid-mandibular border, gonion, and inframolar (p < 0.05). No significant differences in STT were found among the three groups at the following bilateral landmarks: zygion, mid-infraorbital, mid-supraorbital, supra-molar, alar curvature point, and supracanine.
Conclusion: Notable differences in STT were observed among the three vertical skeletal patterns, with the vertical group exhibiting reduced tissue thickness at specific landmarks.
Clinical significance: These findings highlight the importance of considering vertical skeletal patterns when assessing STT for treatment planning, particularly in orthognathic surgery and orthodontic treatment involving soft tissue manipulation. Variations in STT can influence treatment outcomes and should be factored into individualized treatment approaches.
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