Accuracy of Facial Soft Tissue Measurements Using Photographic Analysis Method

Abstract

Background and Aim Facial photograph is an essential diagnostic aid having great importance in diagnosis and treatment planning in Orthodontics and is absolutely hazard free. In this era of paradigm shift where soft tissue is of much significance facial photographs are an excellent aid in appraising facial balance type and harmony of external features. The aim of this study was to determine the accuracy of intra examiner and inter examiner landmark identification and measurement by photographic analysis on standardized photographs of patients using a custom-made software.Methods Fifty individuals including both males and females were included in the study. Their frontal and profile facial photographs were taken using a standardized method. The photographs were stored in TIFF Tag Image File Format and uploaded in the custom-made software for analysis. Two examiners with similar experience were selected for marking the landmarks and performing the analysis. Analysis was done initially T0 and after 24 hrs T24. Both intra and inter examiner reliability was checked using ICC. The data were entered in Excel sheet and subjected to statistical analysis. Data were analyzed using SPSS Statistical Package for Social Sciences 25.0 version IBM Chicago. Inter-examiner and intra-examiner correlation was assessed using intra-class correlation coefficient.Results In frontal linear measurements all correlations of inter and intra examiner readings initial reading T0 amp after 24 hrs T24 the parameters Sn-Me Sn-St St-Me Tr-Me ChR-ChL showed significant correlation Plt0.05 whereas parameter Tr-N showed non-significant correlation Pgt0.05. In profile angular measurements all correlations of inter and intra examiner readings T0 amp T24 the angular parameters N-Pn-Cm N-PnN-Pog Li-B-Pog G-N-Nd N-Pn-Pog showed significant correlation Plt0.05 whereas parameter Cm-Sn-Ls showed non-significant correlation Pgt0.05.Conclusion The present study revealed a high accuracy of landmarks and measurements when done on standardized photographs with photographic analysis using customized software. Except Nasolabial angle Cm-Sn-Ls in angular parameters and Tr-N in linear parameters which showed the most variability in terms of reliability and reproducibility and were also statistically non significant.