Comparison between full face and hemifacial CBCT cephalograms in clinically symmetrical patients: a pilot study

Area of Science:

• Dentistry
• Radiology
• Orthodontics

Background:

• Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) offers the advantage of reconstructing conventional lateral cephalograms from facial scans.
• This capability allows for detailed analysis of facial structures using 2D or 3D imaging techniques.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare cephalometric measurements derived from full face, right hemifacial, and left hemifacial CBCT scans.
• To evaluate the reliability of hemifacial reconstructions for orthodontic analysis in patients without apparent facial asymmetry.

Main Methods:

• Nine clinically symmetrical orthodontic patients underwent full face CBCT scans.
• CBCT data were reconstructed into full face, right hemifacial, and left hemifacial cephalograms.
• Two observers performed linear and angular measurements twice using Dolphin 3D software, with statistical analysis including t-tests, ANOVA, and Kruskal-Wallis tests.

Main Results:

• Measurements demonstrated good reproducibility across all CBCT scan types.
• No statistically significant differences were found between measurements obtained from full face, right hemifacial, and left hemifacial CBCT cephalograms.
• This indicates consistency in data regardless of the reconstruction method.

Conclusions:

• Cephalometric measurements derived from full face, right hemifacial, and left hemifacial CBCT scans are comparable in patients with no clinical facial asymmetry.
• Hemifacial CBCT reconstructions provide reliable data for orthodontic analysis, similar to full face reconstructions.