[Treatment planning in skeletally fixed laterognathism--an interdisciplinary task]

Area of Science:

• Dentistry
• Maxillofacial Surgery
• Orthodontics
• Medical Imaging

Background:

• Skeletal facial asymmetry requires precise diagnosis for effective orthodontic and surgical treatment.
• Conventional X-ray techniques may not provide sufficient detail for complex cases.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficiency of CT scans and 3D CT-surface reconstructions in diagnosing skeletal facial asymmetry.
• To highlight the importance of morphologic diagnosis in treatment planning.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of seven cases of skeletal facial asymmetry.
• Comparison of CT scans and 3D CT-surface reconstructions with conventional X-ray techniques.
• Integration of morphologic classification with skeletal head X-ray classification.

Main Results:

• CT scans and 3D CT-surface reconstructions are more efficient than conventional X-rays for analyzing individual patterns of asymmetry.
• A combination of morphologic and skeletal classification offers excellent diagnostic possibilities.
• Improved pre-operative planning for maxillofacial surgery and better timing coordination for orthodontic appliances.

Conclusions:

• Detailed morphologic diagnosis using advanced imaging is crucial for favorable aesthetic and functional results in treating skeletal facial asymmetry.
• CT-based imaging significantly enhances treatment planning for combined orthodontic and surgical interventions.
• Morphologically oriented treatment plans lead to better coordination and execution of complex orthodontic and surgical procedures.