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Longitudinal composite 3D faces and facial growth trends in children 6-11 years of age using 3D cephalometric surface
Bar Y Ainuz1,2, Rami R Hallac1,2, Alex A Kane1,2
1Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, University of Texas Southwestern School of Medicine, Dallas, TX, USA.
Insights
This study establishes 3D normative craniofacial data for children aged 6-11 years, detailing facial growth trends. These findings provide essential reference values for diagnosing and treating craniofacial conditions.
Area of Science:
- Craniofacial anthropometry
- Pediatric growth and development
- 3D imaging technologies
Background:
- Normative craniofacial anthropometry is crucial for treating craniofacial conditions.
- Objective datasets for pediatric craniofacial normative data are scarce.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish normative data for craniofacial morphology changes during childhood growth.
- To create a longitudinal 3D dataset for pediatric facial growth reference.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal 3D surface imaging of healthy children (6-11 years) over six years.
- Creation of composite 3D cephalometric faces for boys and girls annually.
- Comparison of general and craniofacial anthropometric measurements.
Main Results:
- Analysis of 791 stereophotogrammetric acquisitions from 180 children (400 boys, 391 girls).
- Consistent increases in linear facial, orbital, nasal, and oral measurements with age.
- Identified vertical and anteroposterior growth trends in facial regions.
Conclusions:
- Presents a 6-year longitudinal 3D control dataset serving as reference norms for pediatric facial growth (ages 6-11).
- Composite 3D normative faces are available for clinical and research applications.
- Provides valuable data for understanding typical craniofacial development.
Background:
Normative craniofacial anthropometry provides clinically important reference values used in the treatment of craniofacial conditions. Few objective datasets of normative data exist for children.
Aim:
To establish normative data regarding craniofacial morphology changes with growth in children.
Subjects And Methods:
3D surface images of the same group of healthy children aged 6 - 11 years old recruited from a Dallas school were taken annually between the years 2015 - 2020. Composite 3D cephalometric faces were created for boys and girls of each age. General and craniofacial anthropometric measurements were compared.
Results:
Seven hundred ninety one individual stereophotogrammetric acquisitions were used (400 boys, 391 girls) taken from 180 children. Linear facial, orbital, nasal, and oral anthropometric measurements revealed a consistent increase in magnitude with age. Composite 3D face comparisons revealed prominent vertical and anteroposterior growth trends in the lower and upper facial regions.
Conclusion:
This study presents a longitudinal 3D control dataset of the same group of children over a 6-year period that can serve as reference norms for facial growth values and trends in children aged 6-11 years. The composite 3D normative faces are available for clinical and research purposes upon request, which may be interrogated and measured according to user need and preference.
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