Facial Growth Patterns Observed USING a 3D Surface Imaging System

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the 3-dimensional facial growth patterns occurring in a cohort of children.

METHODS: 88 children (49 males and 39 females) with normal facial proportions and an initial mean age of 12.1 years were studied longitudinally for 2 years. Laser scanned images were obtained under a reproducible and controlled environment with two Minolta Vivid 900 laser-scanning devices and each child received a set of 3-dimensional scans (comprising a left and right scan) at 6 monthly intervals. 440 merged facial scans over 5 time intervals were obtained in total (T1 – base line, T2 – 6 months and T3 – 1 year, T4 – 1 year 6 months and T5 – 2 years). Each of the child's scans, obtained over the 5 periods, was overlaid onto one another using the iterative closest point algorithm with the T1 scan for each child used as a baseline. The growth changes were recorded as mean changes for each time point and colour maps were obtained to determine the areas of facial growth and change.

RESULTS: Changes in the nasal prominence, lips and chin points were noted. Paired t-tests were used to compare the differences in the mean changes that occurred. 92.1% of the female and 97.7% of the male groups exhibited moderate to significant facial growth in the 2-year period. Asymmetric growth between the left and right sides of the faces was observed in 35% (17.28% for males and 17.72% for females) of the cohort studied. This occurrence was present more on the right side (60%) of the face than on the left (40%). No significant differences were observed for a preference of a right or left growth pattern.

CONCLUSIONS: No studies to date have recorded asymmetric facial growth patterns in a longitudinal cohort of children. This study demonstrated that asymmetric growth patterns do occur in a growing individual.