Three-dimensional quantification of mandibular asymmetry through cone-beam computerized tomography

Area of Science:

• Dental imaging and analysis
• Biomechanical and biomaterial engineering
• Medical diagnostics

Background:

• Mandibular asymmetry presents a significant clinical challenge.
• Accurate diagnosis and quantification are crucial for effective treatment planning.
• Existing methods may have limitations in precision and applicability.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the precision of 3D shape analysis in diagnosing right and left mandibular asymmetry.
• To compare two distinct mirroring approaches for quantifying asymmetry.

Main Methods:

• Cone-beam computed tomography (CT) data from 20 patients with mandibular asymmetry were analyzed.
• Two 3D shape analysis methods were employed: midsagittal plane mirroring and cranial base registration.
• Validation involved simulated data and application to three clinical cases.

Main Results:

• Midsagittal plane mirroring demonstrated >99% probability of asymmetry measurement differences <0.5 mm.
• Cranial base registration showed >84% probability of asymmetry measurement differences <0.5 mm.
• Both methods proved highly precise in quantifying simulated asymmetry.

Conclusions:

• 3D shape analysis provides precise quantification of mandibular asymmetry.
• Cranial base registration offers a valuable alternative when landmarks are unreliable or absent, such as in trauma cases.