DOI: 10.11607/ijp.6053, PubMed ID (PMID): 31310646Pages 293-296, Language: EnglishAswehlee, Amel M. / Elbashti, Mahmoud E. / Hattori, Mariko / Sumita, Yuka I. / Taniguchi, HisashiPurpose: To geometrically evaluate facial asymmetry in patients with mandibulectomy defects with and without their mandibular prostheses in place and to compare the results to a nonpatient group.
Materials and Methods: Facial data from a convenience sample of 16 patients with mandibulectomy defects and a control group of 16 nonpatients were acquired using a noncontact 3D digitizer. Facial asymmetry was evaluated by superimposing a facial scan onto its mirror scan for each patient's 3D dataset using 3D evaluation software.
Results: Facial asymmetry was significantly different between mandibulectomy patients and control participants. As expected, asymmetry was significantly different in mandibulectomy patients with and without their prostheses.
Conclusion: Wearing a mandibular prosthesis notably improved facial asymmetry.
