• The korean journal of orthodontics
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• v.35 no.2 s.109
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• pp.91-105
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• 2005

For af accurate diagnosis and treatment planning of facial asymmetry, the use of 3-dimensional (3-D) image is indispensable. The purpose of this study was to get standard data for the 3-D analysis of facial asymmetry Computerized tomography (CT) was taken in the 60 normal occlusion individuals (30 male. 30 female) who did not have any apparent facial asymmetry. The acquired 2D CT DICOM data were input on a computer, and the reformatted 3-D images were created using a 3-D image software. Twenty three measurements were established in order to evaluate asymmetry; 15 ;omear measurements (6 for ramus length. 1 for condylar neck length, and 8 for mandibular body length) and 8 angular measurements (4 for gonial angle. 2 for frontal ramal inclination. and 2 for lateral ramal inclination) The right aid left difference of each measurement was calculated and analyzed. It is suggested that the right and left differences of the measurements obtained from the study could be used as references for the diagnosis of facial asymmetric patients.

• The korean journal of orthodontics
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• v.38 no.5
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• pp.314-327
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• 2008

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the reproducibility of measurements representing asymmetry of the mandible and to identify which landmarks would be more useful in 3-dimensional (3D) CT imaging. Methods: Facial CT images were obtained from forty normal occlusion individuals. Eighteen landmarks were established from the condyle, gonion, and menton areas, and 25 measurements were constructed to represent asymmetry of the mandible; 8 for ramus length, 12 for mandibular body length, 1 for condylar neck length, 2 for frontal ramal inclination, and 2 for lateral ramal inclination. Inter- and intra-examiner reproducibility of the measurements was evaluated. Results: Inter-examiner reproducibility of the measurements proved to be high except for 3 measurements. Intra-examiner reproducibility also proved to be high except for 2 measurements. Inter- and intra-examiner reproducibility of the measurements including Gonion proved to be low. Conclusions: The results of the present study indicate that the landmarks and measurements constructed in 3D CT images can be used for the diagnosis of facial asymmetry.

• The korean journal of orthodontics
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• v.37 no.5
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• pp.319-330
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• 2007

Defining right and left side differences in mandibular ramus height is one of the key elements in the diagnosis of facial asymmetry. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effect of correction of ramus height with frontal and lateral ramal inclinations (FRI and LRI) in 2-dimensional cephalograms and observe how this affects the diagnostic accuracy of asymmetry. Methods: Frontal and lateral cephalograms were obtained in 40 individuals with chin deviation. FRI and LRI were measured on each side and ramus height measurement was corrected with these inclinations using Pythagorean's theorem. The results of diagnosis before and after correction on cephalograms were compared with the results in 3D CT images. Results: Both FRI and LRI showed greater values in the contralateral side than in the chin-deviated side and these contributed to an increase in the right and left side ramus height differences. After comparison of diagnostic results before and after correction on cephalograms with the results on 3D CT images, the sensitivity increased significantly (from 74 to 94 %) whereas the specificity decreased (from 44 to 22 %). Overall accuracy increased from 68 to 78 % with the correction using FRI and LRI. Conclusions: The results of the present study indicate that correction of ramus height with FRI and LRI is useful for an accurate diagnosis of facial asymmetry on frontal cephalograms.

• The korean journal of orthodontics
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• v.35 no.4 s.111
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• pp.320-329
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• 2005

The three-dimensional (3D) changes of bone, soft tissue and the ratio of soft tissue to bony movement was investigated in 8 skeletal Class III patients treated by mandibular setback surgery. CT scans of each patient at pre- and post-operative states were taken. Each scan was segmented by a threshold value and registered to a universal three-dimensional coordinate system, consisting of an FH plane, a mid-sagittal plane, and a coronal plane defined by PNS. In the study, the grid parallel to the coronal plane was proposed for the comparison of the changes. The bone or soft tissue was intersected by the projected line from each point on the gird. The coordinate values of intersected point were measured and compared between the pre- and post-operative models. The facial surface changes after setback surgery occurred not only in the mandible, but also in the mouth corner region. The soft tissue changes of the mandibular area were measured relatively by the proportional ratios to the bone changes. The ratios at the mid-sagittal plane were $77\~102\%(p<0.05)$. The ratios at all other sagittal planes had similar patterns to the mid-sagittal plane, but with decreased values. And, the changes in the maxillary region were calculated as a ratio, relative to the movement of a point representing a mandibular movement. When B point was used as a representative point, the ratios were $14\~29\%$, and when Pog was used, the ratios were $17\~37\%(9<0.05)$. In case of the 83rd point of the grid, the ratios were $11\~22\%(p<0.05)$.

• The korean journal of orthodontics
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.145-155
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• 2010

Objective: Lateral cephalometric radiographs have been the main form of resource for assessing two dimensional anteroposterior airway changes. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the three dimensional volumetric change in the upper airway space in Class III malocclusion patients who underwent mandibular setback surgery. Methods: Three dimensional cone-beam computed tomographs (CBCT) and their three dimensional reconstruction images were analyzed. The samples consisted of 20 adult patients (12 males and 8 females) who were diagnosed as skeletal Class III and underwent mandibular setback surgery. CBCTs were taken at 3 stages - Baseline (1.8 weeks before surgery), T1 (2.3 months after surgery), and T2 (1 year after surgery). Pharyngeal airway was separated according to the reference planes and reconstructed into the nasopharynx, the oropharynx and the hypopharynx. Measurements at Baseline, T1, and T2 were compared between groups. Results: The result showed the volume of the pharyngeal airway decreased significantly 2.3 months after surgery (p < 0.001) and the diminished airway did not recover after 1 year post-surgery. The oropharynx was the most decreased area. Conclusions: These findings suggest that mandibular setback surgery causes both short-term and long-term decrease in the upper airway space.

• The korean journal of orthodontics
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.18-27
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• 2009

Objective: The purpose of this study was to understand the differences in masseter muscle(MM) between the shifted and non-shifted sides in facial asymmetry patients, and the changes shown by MM after mandibular surgery. Methods: Pre- and post-operative CT scans were performed on 12 Class III patients with facial asymmetry who were treated by intraoral vertical ramus osteotomy and 10 subjects with normal occlusion. Using the V-works 4.0 program(Cybermed, Seoul, Korea), 3-dimensional images of the mandible, and MM were reconstructed, and evaluated. Results: In the asymmetry group, the MM angle between the shifted and non-shifted sides was only significantly different(p<0.05). Compared with normal occlusion, the asymmetry group showed a significantly smaller volume and maximum cross-sectional area in both sides of MM(p<0.05). After mandibular surgery, the angle of MM(p<0.01) and differences in angle between the shifted and non-shifted sides of MM(p<0.05) were significantly decreased. The thickness in the maximum cross-sectional area was significantly increased(p<0.01). After surgery, MM in facial asymmetry patients was similarly changed to those in the normal occlusion group except for widths. Conclusions: MM in facial asymmetry was definitely different from those in normal occlusion. However, this study suggests that MM changed symmetrically in conjunction with the mandible after proper mandibular surgery.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.108-116
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• 2008

Background : When surgeons plan mandible ortho surgery for patients with skeletal class III facial asymmetry, they must be consider the exact method of surgery for correction of the facial asymmetry. Three-dimensional (3D) CT imaging is efficient in depicting specific structures in the craniofacial area. It reproduces actual measurements by minimizing errors from patient movement and allows for image magnification. Due to the rapid development of digital image technology and the expansion of treatment range, rapid progress has been made in the study of three-dimensional facial skeleton analysis. The purpose of this study was to conduct 3D CT image comparisons of mandible changes after mandibular surgery in facial asymmetry patients. Materials & methods : This study included 7 patients who underwent 3D CT before and after correction of facial asymmetry in the oral and maxillofacial surgery department of Yeungnam University Hospital between August 2002 and November 2005. Patients included 2 males and 5 females, with ages ranging from 16 years to 30 years (average 21.4 years). Frontal CT images were obtained before and after surgery, and changes in mandible angle and length were measured. Results : When we compared the measurements obtained before and after mandibular surgery in facial asymmetry patients, correction of facial asymmetry was identified on the "after" images. The mean difference between the right and left mandibular angles before mandibular surgery was $7^{\circ}$, whereas after mandibular surgery it was $1.5^{\circ}$. The right and left mandibular length ratios subtracted from 1 was 0.114 before mandibular surgery, while it was 0.036 after mandibular surgery. The differences were analyzed using the nonparametric test and the Wilcoxon signed ranks test (p<0.05). Conclusion: The system that has been developed produces an accurate three-dimensional representation of the skull, upon which individualized surgery of the skull and jaws is easily performed. The system also permits accurate measurement and monitoring of postsurgical changes to the face and jaws through reproducible and noninvasive means.

• The korean journal of orthodontics
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• v.35 no.4 s.111
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• pp.251-261
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• 2005

Enlargement is an inherent property of X-rays which occurs when straight hues diverse from small a focal spot. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the validity of the correction of gonial angle width enlarged on frontal cephalogram, using frontal and lateral cephalograms taken orthogonally from each other. In 40 adult individuals, frontal and lateral cephalograms were taken at a $90^{\circ}$ angle using the Head Posture Aligner. The angle width was measured on the frontal cephalogram and subsequently. the corrected angle width was calculated using the magnification rate of two cephalograms. Measured and corrected angle widths were compared with the measurement from the 3D CT image. The measurement or the frontal cephalogram showed a 9.10mm of enlargement on average ranging from 7.92 to 11.31mm. Corrected angle width measurement showed a 0.14mm difference with the 3D CT image measurement, which was not statistically significant. The results of the study indicate that actual au91e width can be approached through calculation using frontal and lateral cephalograms taken orthogonally with the help of the Head Posture Aligner The study also showed that the magnitude of correction error did not show a significant correlation with the amount of menton deviation, and it suggests that the present correction method is valid even in individuals with severe facial asymmetry.

• The korean journal of orthodontics
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• v.35 no.3 s.110
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• pp.163-173
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• 2005

The purpose of this study was to compare the asymmetric degree between maxillofacial hard and soft tissues in individuals with facial asymmetry. Computerized tomographies (CT) of 34 adults (17 male, 17 female) who had facial asymmetry were taken. The CT images were transmitted to personal computers and then reconstructed into three-dimensional (3D) images through the use of computer software. In order to evaluate the degree of facial asymmetry, 6 measurements were constructed as the hard tissue measurements while 6 counterpart measurements were taken as the soft tissue measurements. The means and standard deviations were obtained for each measurement using 3D measure, then t-test was used to investigate the differences between each hard tissue measurement and the corresponding soft tissue measurement All measurements used in the present study showed statistically significant differences between the hard and soft tissues. The degree of soft tissue asymmetry was smaller than that of corresponding hard tissue asymmetry in case of chin deviation, frontal ramal inclination difference, and frontal corpus inclination difference. On the other hand, the degree of soft tissue asymmetry was greater than that of underlying hard tissue asymmetry in the measurement of lip canting and lip cheilion height difference The present study suggests that asymmetric differences of hard and soft tissue is observed nu facial asymmetric subjects and thus soft tissue analysis is needed in addition to hard tissue analysis when making an evaluation of facial asymmetry.

• The korean journal of orthodontics
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.72-82
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• 2009

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the structural changes of the hyoid bone and upper airway after orthognathic surgery for skeletal class III anterior open bite patients, and make comparisons with normal occlusion. Methods: Pre- and post-operative computed tomography (CT) examinations were performed on 12 skeletal class III anterior open bite patients who were treated with mandibular setback osteotomy. Using the V-works $4.0^{TM}$ program, 3-dimensional images of the total skull, mandible, hyoid bone, and upper airway were evaluated. Results: In the Class III open bite group, the hyoid bone were all positioned anteriorly, compared to the Normal group (p < 0.05). The angle between the hyoid plane and mandibular plane in the Class III openbite group before surgery was greater than in the Normal group (p < 0.05), and the difference increased after surgery (p < 0.01). In the Class III openbite group, the volume of the upper airway decreased after surgery (p < 0.001) and the volume of the upper airway was smaller than the Normal group before and after surgery (p < 0.001). Conclusions: The narrow upper airway space in skeletal Class III openbite patients decreased after mandibular setback osteotomy. This may affect the post-surgical stability.