This study tried to construct standard values of facial morphology for adults with normal occlusion, which would then be available for analyzing jaw deformities.
Twenty-three adult males and 20 females with normal occlusion on X-ray profilograms, were selected. Facial morphology was measured using a non-contact three-dimensional measuring apparatus.
Three patients who underwent orthognatic surgery were analyzed before and after surgery. The threedimensional values of the measuring points on the patient's face were compared with those in the normal group.
The results were as follows:
1. The origin and coordinate axes based on the bilateral entocanthion, ectocanthion, and otobasion superius, and 67 measuring points, were established on the surface of facial image. The x-, y-, and z-values of these 67 measuring points were aggregated and used as standard values to analyze the facial mor-phology of patients.
2. Preoperatively, the values of the surface points in case 1, corresponding to the points in abnormal position on the profilogram, were apart from the standard values. Following surgery, all points on the profilogram moved into the normal range, and the values of the surface points not only on the mid-plane but also on the lateral part of face, moved closer to the standard values.
3. In cases 2 and 3, postoperative analysis of profilograms revealed that some points exceeded the normal range, and the values of the surface points remained outside the standard values as well.
4. It was shown that the values obtained in this study may be available as standard values for analyzing facial morphology by increasing the number of subjects.
