Nose width and mouth width predictions in a Thai population using cone-beam computed tomography data

Abstract

© 2019, © 2019 Australian Academy of Forensic Sciences. Nose width and mouth width are the distances needed to be estimated in facial reconstruction process. The previous prediction guidelines for them were mainly based on European samples, whereas Asian samples used in their studies were limit. Our study, therefore, intended to formulate the prediction guidelines for the nose and mouth width, using the infraorbital foramen and canine in a Thai population. The measurements were performed in 3D images generated from cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans of the heads of 108 Thai subjects with normal BMI and ages ranging from 21.0–50.9 years. The ratio between the infraorbital and intercanine widths to the nose and mouth widths were calculated. The lateral distance between the infraorbital foramen and canine to the alare and cheilion were also assessed. The results suggested that nose width and mouth width predictions could be achieved with low variation using the infraorbital foramen and canine (the standard deviation of less than 2.0 mm and the coefficient of variation of less than 1.1 mm). Our results will give useful information for facial reconstruction in Thai samples.