Assessment and comparison of facial asymmetry by photographic and radiographic measurements: Using visual studio 2005 software and posteroanterior cephalogram

Abstract

Introduction: As the demand for facial esthetics has increased, more patients nowadays complain of the development or the progression of facial asymmetry. The purpose of present study is to evaluate the facial asymmetry with the help of facial photographs and its validity and authenticity to be used as a valid clinical tool for clinical practice. Materials and methods: Total 30 adults were selected in the age range of 18 to 25 years with facial asymmetry. Barium points were marked on right and left medial and lateral canthus of eyes. Frontal view photographs and posteroanterior view radiographs were taken of all individuals selected. With Visual Basic Studio 2005 software, photographs and radiographs were converted in OLE (server). The obtained images were digitized by using AutoCAD software. The right and left halves were then compared on photographs and radiographs in terms of area, perimeter, compactness and moment ratio. The data derived was subjected to Spearman rank correlation statistical analysis. The level of significance was set to p > 0.05. Result: On correlation of ratios between photographic and radiographic values, significant correlation was observed in terms of area, compactness and moment ratio whereas perimeter showed nonsignificant relationship. Conclusion: Photographs can be used as an effective diagnostic tool as comparable to radiographs for assessing facial asymmetry.