The assessment of dentoalveolar compensation in facial asymmetry individuals: integration of cone beam CT and laser scanned dental cast images

Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess the dentoalveolar compensation in facial asymmetry individuals using an integration of a CBCT image and a laser scanned dental cast image. Methods: The subjects consisted of 30 adults with asymmetric mandibles and 20 adults with symmetric mandibles. The CBCT and laser scanned dental cast images were integrated with a registration technique. Canine and first molar position and angulation were assessed from reference coordinates. The differences between deviated and non-deviated sides were analyzed with the paired t-test. The differences shown according to menton deviation were also statistically analyzed using Pearson correlation analysis. Results: The experimental group showed deviated and non-deviated side differences (dev.-ndev.) in the position and angle of the canine and first molars. Menton deviation showed positive correlation with the deviation side (dev.-ndev.) for the maxillary and mandibular 1st molar angles, negative correlation with the deviation side for the vertical position of the maxillary 1st molars, transverse position of the mandibular canine, transverse position and vertical position of the mesio-lingual cusp of the mandibular 1st molars. Conclusions: The upper and lower canine and first molars of facial asymmetry individuals were compensated, so the transverse position, vertical position, and angle showed differences between the deviated/non-deviated sides. (Korean J Orthod 2010;40(46):373-382)