A lateral photometric analysis for aesthetic-orthognathic treatment.

A new lateral photometric analysis, used as a new diagnostic aid in surgical orthognathic treatment and aesthetic surgery, is described. The normal facial features of one male and one female were analysed and then assessed to provide examples of the "normal". Seven cases with aesthetic-orthognathic problems were also analysed and diagnosed according to this newly-described technique and these represented examples of the "abnormal". The benefits of using this diagnostic aid are obvious to the maxillo-facial/aesthetic surgeon or orthodontist. He should be able to plan his treatment beyond the limitation set by model studies and cephalometrics only.