Quantification of facial morphology using stereophotogrammetry--demonstration of a new concept.

OBJECTIVES The purpose of this study was to introduce stereophotogrammetry as a three-dimensional registration method for quantifying facial morphology and detecting changes in facial morphology during growth and development. METHODS Using stereophotogrammetry, three-dimensional (3-D) co-ordinates for the bilateral landmarks Exocanthion and Cheilion and the midsagittal landmark Pronasale were determined in 10 subjects to ascertain the reproducibility of the method, and in 59 children to detect changes in facial morphology due to growth and development. Linear and angular measurements were calculated by means of the 3-D co-ordinates in order to quantify facial morphology. Significant differences were determined by means of analyses of variance (MANOVA). RESULTS During the observation period, significant (P < 0.01) changes in facial morphology were determined for the linear measurements. Advantages and disadvantages of current registration methods are discussed. CONCLUSION It is concluded that stereophotogrammetry is a suitable 3-D registration method for quantifying and detecting developmental changes in facial morphology.

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