Abstract
In orthognathic surgery cases, facial asymmetry was examined by using facial photographs. Soft-tissue asymmetry was assessed subjectively and grades were given according to their severity. The subjective analysis was compared with the objective analysis by linear and angular measurements of the facial photographs. The soft-tissue asymmetry evaluated by the objective analysis was compared with the skeletal asymmetry assessed by the postero-anterior cephalograms. It was suggested that the line running from the soft-tissue nasion to the subnasale was appropriate to the mid-facial reference plane. In the comparative study between the subjective andthe objective soft-tissue analyses, it was shown that a facial asymmetry was visually felt by recognizing the lateral displacement of the chin and the right-left difference of the gonion. Such soft-tissue asymmetries were significantly correlated to the corresponding skeletal asymmetries. In orthognathic surgery cases having a facial asymmetry, correction of the skeletal asymmetry concerning the chin and the gonion position seemed to be important for making the soft-tissue symmetrical.
