A radiation free alternative to CBCT volumetric rendering for soft tissue evaluation / Um método alternativo à TCFC sem radiação ionizante para a avaliação de tecidos moles da face

Objective: The aim of the present study is to evaluate whether a "radiation free" method using 3D facial scan can replace Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) volumetric rendering of soft tissue of the patient to assess maxillofacial surgery outcomes and compare the reference points and angular measurements of patient facial soft tissue. Material and Methods: Facial soft tissue scan of the patient's face, before and after orthognathic surgery and a CBCT of the skull for volumetric rendering of soft tissues were carried out. The 3D acquisitions were processed using Planmeca ProMax 3D ProFace® software (Planmeca USA, Inc.; Roselle, Illinois, USA). The participant were positioned in a natural position during the skull scannering. Three sagittal angular measurements were performed (Tr-NA, Tr-N-Pg, Ss-N-Pg) and two verticals (Go-N-Me, Tr-Or-Pg) on facial soft tissue scan and on the patient's 3D soft tissue CBCT volumetric rendering. Results: A certain correspondence has been demonstrated between the measurements obtained on the Proface and those on the CBCT. Conclusion: A radiation free method was to be considered an important diagnostic tool that works in conditions of not subjecting the patient to harmful ionizing radiation and it was therefore particularly suitable for growing subjects. The soft tissue analysis based on the realistic facial scan has shown sufficient reliability and reproducibility even if further studies are needed to confirm the research result.(AU)

Objetivo:Avaliar se um método "livre de radiação" usando escaneamento facial 3D pode substituir a renderização volumétrica da tomografia computadorizada de feixe cônico (TCFC) dos tecidos moles do paciente para analisar os resultados da cirurgia maxilofacial e comparar os pontos de referência e medições angulares afim de avaliar a correspondência entre as duas metodologias. Material e Métodos: Foi realizado o escaneamento dos tecidos moles faciais do paciente, antes e depois da cirurgia ortognática e uma tomografia computadorizada de feixe cônico do crânio para renderização volumétrica dos tecidos moles. As aquisições 3D foram processadas usando o software Planmeca ProMax 3D ProFace® (Planmeca USA, Inc.; Roselle, Illinois, USA). O participante foi posicionado em posição natural durante o escaneamento do crânio. Três medições angulares sagitais foram realizadas (Tr-NA, Tr-N-Pg, Ss-N-Pg) e duas verticais (Go-N-Me, Tr-Or-Pg) nas imagens de scaneamento e nas imagens do tecido mole facial da reconstrução tridimensional da TCFC. Resultados: Uma certa correspondência foi demonstrada entre as medidas obtidas no Proface® e aquelas na TCFC. Conclusão: Um método livre de radiação deve ser considerado uma importante ferramenta de diagnóstico que funciona em condições de não submeter o paciente a radiação ionizante nociva e, portanto, é particularmente adequado para indivíduos em crescimento. A análise de tecidos moles com base na varredura facial realista mostrou confiabilidade e reprodutibilidade, porém mais estudos são necessários para confirmar o resultado da pesquisa. (AU)

Clinical Use of Aligners Associated with Nuvola® OP System for Transverse Maxillary Deficiency: A Retrospective Study on 100 Patients.

Introduction: Aligners represent a common treatment for orthodontic patients thanks to their countless advantages including aesthetics, comfort, and oral hygiene maintenance; at the same time, they are associated with a reduced number of visits and a low incidence of complications. Although aligners have undergone considerable improvements over time, to date they have limitations in resolving the most serious malocclusions related to transverse maxillary deficiency. The aim of the present study was to retrospectively evaluate an orthodontic protocol (the Nuvola® OP System) which associates a morpho-functional corrector (to be used for 30 min/day) with the aligner, allowing for the treatment of cases that would be difficult or unpredictable with aligners alone. Methods: Linear measurements were taken on STL files of 100 patients. In 77 patients between 18 and 55 years (mean 28.6 ± 16.2 (standard deviation) years), 3D superimpositions of the maxilla obtained from intraoral scans before and after treatment were performed in order to evaluate the degree of maxillary expansion. The normality of the data distribution was tested. The pre- and post-treatment data were compared using a paired t-test with a 5% significance level. After treatment, a questionnaire was proposed to assess patients' degree of satisfaction and compliance. Results: A statistically significant difference (p < 0.05) for each distance evaluated was found. The maximum expansion was obtained at the first molar level (2.35 ± 1.64 mm). Of the subjects who completed the questionnaire, 96% were satisfied and 90% were able to perform the protocol without difficulty for the required duration. Conclusions: A significant expansion of the maxillary arch as well as a high degree of patient satisfaction and compliance were observed with the Nuvola® OP System. Further studies are needed in order to clinically evaluate the relative contribution of the aligners and morpho-functional device to the obtained expansion.

Influence of facial components in class III malocclusion esthetic perception of orthodontists, patients, and laypersons.

PURPOSE: The aim of the present study was to investigate the influence of different facial components (face length, lip volume, nose size, and cheekbone contour) on the perception of facial attractiveness of patients with Angle class III malocclusion in different categories of responders (orthodontists, laypersons, patients) with two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) simulations. METHODS: An ideal standard 3D face was manipulated to create a class III facial malocclusion. Four facial components were modified (face length, lip volume, nose size and cheekbone contour) and the resulting simulations were used to obtain 2D figures and 3D videos, which were evaluated in a survey by orthodontists, patients, and laypersons. RESULTS: No significant differences were detected between the 2D figures and 3D video simulations. Good correspondence was shown between the three categories of responders for the most and the least attractive faces. Smaller lips and bigger nose, regardless to the vertical dimension (short or long face), were found to be the least attractive features with agreement of all respondents. CONCLUSION: Regarding class III facial attractiveness perception, the sum of all facial features and not the alteration of a single component alone seems to play a key role in the perception of facial attractiveness. The 2D or 3D perspective did not play a significant role in perception and the analyzed categories of responders did not show significant differences when perceiving facial attractiveness of the utilized simulations.