Analysis of the Human Cephalometric Parameters Important for Dental Practice

Abstract

Cephalometry is a measurement of the head by imaging, also taking into account the layer which consists of all the soft tissues of the head. Following the introduction of computed tomography (CT), 3D reconstruction of the head and neck structures and 3D analysis of angular and linear cephalometric parameters was enabled. This study aimed to determine the characteristic cephalometric parameters, using the 2D reconstruction of the multi-slice CT (MSCT) images, which are essential for computer designing of the parametric-geometric-mathematical model (PGMM) of the human skull. We conducted the study on 20 CT scans of adult patients (12 males and 8 females), taken from the radiology archive of the Clinical Center in Niš. Measurements were done on 2D reconstruction images of preselected 3D images of the human head created using MSCT. The values of 29 linear cephalometric parameters (LCP) and 20 angular cephalometric parameters (ACP) were determined. Statistically significant differences between males and females were noted for the distance between the points Sella and Supraorbitale and for the distance between the points Subspinale and Labium superius. Mean values of cephalometric parameters obtained by measurements on 2D CT images can be used to generate normative parameters which represent values used to generate 3D PGMM of the human skull. This PGMM of the skull may allow a more accurate diagnosis, better selection of treatment methods and more accurate prognosis for healing in orthodontics, implantology, oral and maxillofacial surgery.