The purpose of this study was to evaluate the changes of facial form before and after operation by using a rapid noncontact three-dimensional measuring system in orthognathic surgery. This measuring system uses two laser slit beams to scan curved surfaces of subjects. The measuring time is about 4.3 seconds. The subjects were twelve patients with mandibular prognathism and five patients with facial asymmetry.
The facial forms before and after operation (after 2 weeks, after 6 months) were compared;(1) changes of lower facial contours, (2) changes of esthetic line, (3) the line between lateral angles of eyes and the line between lateral angles of the mouth. The results showed usefulness for evaluation of facial forms in orthognathic surgery.
