Evaluation of facial soft tissue changes in excessive gingival display cases after Le Forte I maxillary impaction surgery using 3D facial surface laser scanner

Abstract

These scans were accurately superimposed over each other and analysed using a colour coded mapping software Cloud Compare, this analyses allowed the assessment of the facial soft tissue changes in relation to the surgical movement. The results of the current study showed the average changes in different regions of the facial soft tissue skeleton that is well correlated to the bony movements. This Study was designed to evaluate the impact of Le Forte I Maxillary impaction surgery on the soft tissue changes using three-dimensional laser scanner for acquisition and colour coded mapping for three-dimensional analyses. Twelve patients were selected for this study with excessive gingival display due to VME that required surgical correction of the maxilla to an aesthetically acceptable position. A Le Forte I maxillary impaction surgery was performed under general anaesthesia. By mobilizing and down-fracturing of the maxilla and fixation using four 2.0 mm titanium mini plates in the pre-planned position. A three-dimensional capturing of the craniofacial structures was obtained by Planmeca ProMax 3D ® , Cone Beam Computed Tomography CBCT with integrated laser facial scanner, preoperatively and postoperatively after six months.