Stalo Economou1, Peter Stoustrup2, Kasper Dahl Kristensen3, Michel Dalstra2, Annelise Küseler4, Troels Herlin5, Thomas Klit Pedersen4. 1. Section of Orthodontics, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark. Electronic address: ortho@economou.com. 2. Section of Orthodontics, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark. 3. Section of Orthodontics, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark; Specialist Oral Health Center for Western Norway, Stavanger, Norway. 4. Section of Orthodontics, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark; Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark. 5. Department of Pediatrics, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: The aims of this study were to assess the correlation between facial hard and soft tissue asymmetry in patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis, to identify valid soft tissue points for clinical examination, and to assess the smallest clinically detectable level of dentofacial asymmetry. METHODS: Full-face cone-beam computed tomography scans and 3-dimensional photographs were used to assess facial hard and soft tissue asymmetry in 21 patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis. A survey was conducted to assess how asymmetry is perceived observationally based on cone-beam computed tomography scans and 3-dimensional photographs. RESULTS: Significant linear correlations were seen between the hard and soft tissue landmark deviations at both the transverse and vertical positions. Among medial soft tissue points, glabella had the smallest deviation and pogonion the largest deviation from the midsagittal plane. Professionals could identify facial asymmetry based on images beyond a cutoff threshold of 2 mm for both pogonion and gonion. CONCLUSIONS: Soft tissue pogonion and gonion were identified as the most appropriate landmarks to clinically predict hard tissue facial asymmetry. Facial asymmetries are most pronounced in the lower facial third in patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis. Professionals can accurately identify asymmetry exceeding 2 mm.
INTRODUCTION: The aims of this study were to assess the correlation between facial hard and soft tissue asymmetry in patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis, to identify valid soft tissue points for clinical examination, and to assess the smallest clinically detectable level of dentofacial asymmetry. METHODS: Full-face cone-beam computed tomography scans and 3-dimensional photographs were used to assess facial hard and soft tissue asymmetry in 21 patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis. A survey was conducted to assess how asymmetry is perceived observationally based on cone-beam computed tomography scans and 3-dimensional photographs. RESULTS: Significant linear correlations were seen between the hard and soft tissue landmark deviations at both the transverse and vertical positions. Among medial soft tissue points, glabella had the smallest deviation and pogonion the largest deviation from the midsagittal plane. Professionals could identify facial asymmetry based on images beyond a cutoff threshold of 2 mm for both pogonion and gonion. CONCLUSIONS: Soft tissue pogonion and gonion were identified as the most appropriate landmarks to clinically predict hard tissue facial asymmetry. Facial asymmetries are most pronounced in the lower facial third in patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis. Professionals can accurately identify asymmetry exceeding 2 mm.