Korean J Orthod.  1992 Dec;22(4):855-868.

The prediction of postsurgical soft-tissue profile changes associated with surgical correction of the prognathic mandible by standardized facial photosurgery

• Jin KH
• Hong SJ

Abstract

This study was designed to test the possibility of using a standardized lateral facial photographs as a clinical tool which produce the prediction of postsurgical soft-tissue profile changes associated with surgical correction in skeletal CIII patients. The number of the patients involved in this study were 27 in total, including 11 male patients and 16 female patients. A practical method to the utilization of presurgical photo prediction for mandibular prognathic patients has been presented. To predict postoperative facial appearance, montage photographs were superimposed on standard facial reference photos taken preoperatively. Within the limitations of its technology, postoperative predictions generated by this method were of sufficient accuracy, especially mandible and chin area, for clinical use. In addition, they provide valuable communication and diagnostic information which may be used in formulating treatment plan in cases requiring corrective orthognathic surgery. But, the lip changes were somewhat exaggerated by photo prediction. Consequently, the photo prediction seems suitable for planning profile changes in orthognathic surgery that include mobilization of one main mandibular fragment. Futher investigations are needed to determine whether changes of soft-tissues and hard-tissues are sufficiently reproducible so that more meaningful predictive values can he established.

MeSH Terms

Chin
Female
Humans
Lip
Male
Mandible*
Orthognathic Surgery