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Elliptic Fourier analysis of mandibular shape
V F Ferrario1, C Sforza, M Guazzi
1Laboratorio di Anatomia Funzionale dell'Apparato Stomatognatico, Facoltà di Medicina e Chirurgia, Università degli Studi di Milano, Italy.
Journal of Craniofacial Genetics and Developmental Biology
|October 1, 1996
Summary
Craniofacial growth involves size and shape changes. Elliptic Fourier analysis quantifies shape differences in mandibles, revealing significant age-related shape variations independent of size.
Area of Science:
- Craniofacial biology
- Biometrics
- Developmental biology
Background:
- Craniofacial growth exhibits variations in both size and shape.
- Assessing shape independently from size requires advanced mathematical techniques.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify age-related shape differences in the human mandible independently of size.
- To introduce and validate a mathematical method for shape analysis in craniofacial development.
Main Methods:
- Utilized elliptic Fourier analysis to evaluate mandibular shape from digitized outlines.
- Calculated morphologic distance (MD) using Fourier coefficients to compare shapes across ages.
- Analyzed Bolton standards from 1 to 18 years of age.
Main Results:
- A significant correlation was found between age and size-independent mandibular shape (r=0.997).
- Mandibular area increased 2.58-fold from age 1 to 18.
- Shape differences were most prominent at the chin, gonion, coronoid process, and anterior ramus border.
Conclusions:
- Elliptic Fourier analysis effectively quantifies size-independent shape changes during craniofacial growth.
- This method can differentiate shape variations from size increments in mandibular development.
- The technique is applicable for comparing healthy and diseased individuals' craniofacial morphology.