Three-dimensional evaluation of facial asymmetry in association with unilateral functional crossbite in the primary, early, and late mixed dentition phases

Abstract

Objective: To assess the degree of facial asymmetry associated with subjects with unilateral functional crossbite (CB) in the primary, early/intermediate, and late mixed dentition phases in comparison with a group of subjects without CB. Subjects and Methods: A group of 234 white subjects, 78 with CB (42 girls and 36 boys) and 156 without CB (73 girls and 83 boys), aged 3.9-11.9, grouped according to the dentition phase, were included. Three-dimensional laser scans of the subjects' faces were used to assess facial asymmetry. For each part of the face two-way multivariate analysis of covariance was performed to assess differences among the subjects, and an independent sample t-test was used to assess the significance of the differences between data sets. Results: Within all dentition phases, the subjects with CB had statistically significantly greater facial asymmetry of the whole face than the subjects without CB, with the greatest values in the lower part of the face (P , .05). In the middle part of the face a significant difference was observed in the mixed dentition phases. Conclusions: Children with unilateral functional CB exhibited a greater facial asymmetry than children without this malocclusion in all the dentition phases herein investigated. The greatest differences were seen for the lower part of the face. Further, facial asymmetry in the middle part of the face became clinically relevant in combination with the transition from primary to mixed dentition phase. (Angle Orthod. 2013;83:253-258.)

Stability of unilateral sagittal split ramus osteotomy for correction of facial asymmetry: long-term case series and literature review

“…The functional type of facial asymmetry, such as asymmetrical mandibular prognathism (laterognathism), is characterized by positional facial asymmetry with dento-alveolar compensation. This condition presents as unilateral posterior crossbite with symmetrical mandibular condylar shape and size, which are usually accompanied by unilateral absence of the lower posterior teeth 8 9 10 .…”

Face symmetry assessment abilities: Clinical implications for diagnosing asymmetry

“…6,7,23,24 Interestingly, our study used stimuli that varied the symmetry of the whole face from 50% less symmetric than the true face to perfect symmetry. Accordingly, the stimuli we used provide a reasonable representation of the range of asymmetry encountered in clinical practice, and our data give further insight to the nature of face symmetry judgment by both clinicians and laypersons.…”

Three-dimensional analysis of mandibular functional units in adult patients with unilateral posterior crossbite: A cone beam study with the use of mirroring and surface-to-surface matching techniques

“…3,4 These effects are believed to influence normal mandibular growth, leading gradually to permanent mandibular asymmetry. 3,5,6 However, the extent to which untreated PUXB affects the craniofacial structures has not been fully defined. [7][8][9][10] In this respect, the belief that untreated PUXB leads to skeletal asymmetry of the mandible was not supported by some studies 7,8 but was sustained by another one.…”