ABSTRACT Objective: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between asymmetrical faces, smiles, skeletal parameters and dental asymmetries. Material and methods: A total of 20 patients with normal vertical facial pattern (20≤FMA≤30°) were selected to analyze frontal extraoral photographs with natural smiles and 3D frontal images generated by cone beam computed tomography scans (CBCT scans). The facial symmetry was retrieved by tracing the bipupillary line and perpendicular lines, the distance between the right and left frontolacrimal sutures was subsequently transferred to the same area in the photographs (the intercanthal distance) to calibrate all measures in the study. An assessment of mandibular chin deviation was conducted, and lines were traced to evaluate the dental midline and smile parameters. Through the manipulation of the CBCT scan, the presence of malocclusion and its respective subdivision, as well as the presence of unilateral or bilateral posterior crossbites in each patient, were identified. Data normality was checked using the Shapiro-Wilk test, and univariate linear regressions were performed to assess relationships. Results: Individuals with Menton point (Me point) deviation greater than 3.5 mm were considered asymmetrical. Subdivision malocclusions significantly correlated with upper midline dental deviation (UMLDD; R2= 0.25), with individuals without subdivision malocclusions showing 0.66 mm less deviation (95% CI = -1.24, -0.09; P = 0.026). Conclusion: UMLDD have a significant correlation with subdivision malocclusion.
Diogo et al. (Wed,) studied this question.