Longitudinal composite 3D faces and facial growth trends in children 6–11 years of age using 3D cephalometric surface imaging

Abstract

Background

Normative craniofacial anthropometry provides clinically important reference values used in the treatment of craniofacial conditions. Few objective datasets of normative data exist for children.

Aim

To establish normative data regarding craniofacial morphology changes with growth in children.

Subjects and methods

3D surface images of the same group of healthy children aged 6 − 11 years old recruited from a Dallas school were taken annually between the years 2015 − 2020. Composite 3D cephalometric faces were created for boys and girls of each age. General and craniofacial anthropometric measurements were compared.

Results

Seven hundred ninety one individual stereophotogrammetric acquisitions were used (400 boys, 391 girls) taken from 180 children. Linear facial, orbital, nasal, and oral anthropometric measurements revealed a consistent increase in magnitude with age. Composite 3D face comparisons revealed prominent vertical and anteroposterior growth trends in the lower and upper facial regions.

Conclusion

This study presents a longitudinal 3D control dataset of the same group of children over a 6-year period that can serve as reference norms for facial growth values and trends in children aged 6–11 years. The composite 3D normative faces are available for clinical and research purposes upon request, which may be interrogated and measured according to user need and preference.

Keywords:

• Craniofacial anthropometry
• 3D cephalometric surface imaging
• paediatrics
• facial growth
• longitudinal normative data

Acknowledgements

Students, parents, and administrative leadership (Michael Simpson) at Greenhill School, Addison, TX for graciously agreeing to collaborate on the study. Research fellows and personnel who supported with data acquisition for the study. None of the authors or any member of his or her immediate family has funding or commercial associations (e.g. consultancies, stock ownership, equity interest, patent/licensing arrangements, etc.) that might pose a conflict of interest in connection with the submitted article.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s). None of the authors have a financial or personal interest in any of the drugs, products, devices, or data mentioned in this discussion or the manuscript being discussed. No portion of the paper has been published previously (in whole or in part).

Data availability statement

The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author, AK, upon reasonable request.