Assessing the Correlation between Skeletal and Corresponding Soft-Tissue Equivalents to Determine the Relationship between CBCT Skeletal/Dental Dimensions and 3D Radiographic Soft-Tissue Equivalents

Abstract

Objective Compare measurements of skeletal and dental areas on the CBCT to the corresponding soft-tissue measures taken from a 3D Facial Scanner. Methods 30 patients with CBCT and 3D Facial scanner photos were selected from the orthodontic program database. 30 different distance measurements were obtained from CBCT and facial scan. OrthoInsight software was used to obtain the measurements from the facial scan images, and AVIZO software was used for corresponding CBCT landmarks. The Euclidean distance formula was used to determine the distances for the corresponding x, y, and z coordinates of the CBCT. Reliability for CBCT and Facial Scanner was completed by calculating 30 distances for 10 patients, 3 times. Once reliability was determined, all 30 distances were calculated once for CBCT and facial scanner on each patient and descriptive statistics and paired t-test were applied. Results All distances measured presented excellent reliability, the lowest one being the left eye width for the facial scanner (ICC 0.847). The landmark with the highest mean error on the CBCT was 2.0 ± 1.6 mm on the z-axis for the spinal level landmark. The Facial Scanner's largest mean measurement error was 1.5 ± 0.9 mm for the distance of the left corner of the mouth to gonion. All data except width between outer eye corners were statistically significant (p < 0.05). The average differences between facial scan and CBCT measurements ranged between 0.77 mm (left canine to cheekbone) to 26.94 mm (left subnasale to gonion) and are thus comparable. All measurements show a reasonable standard deviation between 2.57 mm (left eye width) to 9.91 mm (left gnathion to EAM). Conclusion Distances obtained from CBCT and facial scan present mild differences giving the perspective of a relationship between them. Understanding this difference and relationship can make it plausible to expect certain underlying skeletal distances under soft-tissue structures.

Imaging and 3D Analysis Based on Two or More Three-Dimensional CBCT Recordings before and after Orthodontic Treatment and Maxillofacial Therapy

“…CBCT is a precise imaging technique that provides a three-dimensional analysis of head and neck anatomy to assist clinicians in the planning of maxillofacial and orthognathic surgery, as well as postoperative assessment [7,8]. CBCT provides clinicians with multiplanar views of the skull, facilitating more accurate treatment planning, diagnosis and therapy while minimising x-ray radiation exposure compared to traditional computed tomography [3,8].…”

“…Since its introduction to dentistry in 1998, cone beam computed tomographic (CBCT) imaging has become an essential radiographic technique for orthodontic diagnosis and treatment planning, particularly in situations requiring the evaluation of complex anatomical relationships within the maxillofacial skeleton [1][2][3]. The adoption of CBCT has been driven by its advantages in providing three-dimensional (3D) imaging over traditional two-dimensional radiography [4][5][6][7][8].…”

Full‐Arch Implant‐Supported Rehabilitation Guided by a Predicted Lateral Profile of Soft Tissue

“…The digital workflow presented allows the surgical position of implants to be guided by the design of the future prosthesis. Superimposition of photographs, casts, CBCT, and extraoral scanning have been determined to be reliable procedures . Meanwhile, 3D digital smile design based on the face scan helps to achieve excitement and approval from patients when proposing treatment options, but the current software with a fixed smile line cannot simulate lateral profiles after retraction or protrusion of anterior teeth.…”

“…Superimposition of photographs, casts, CBCT, and extraoral scanning have been determined to be reliable procedures. 13,14 Meanwhile, 3D digital smile design based on the face scan helps to achieve excitement and approval from patients when proposing treatment options, but the current software with a fixed smile line cannot simulate lateral profiles after retraction or protrusion of anterior teeth. In the future, it will be more desirable if a single software program can combine all functions like virtual planning, guided implant placement design, and facial profile design.…”

Comparison of regional soft tissue changes after bimaxillary rotational surgery between class III deformity with overbite and open bite: A 3D imaging analysis

“…These 3D landmarks do not comprehensively address the physical 3D curvature of facial changes [ 27 , 28 ]. Although the use of CBCT data for orientating and superimposing serial head models shows high reproducibility, the CBCT-rendered soft tissue model has been reported to be of lower quality than that of 3D photographs [ 29 , 30 ].…”