Abstract

Clinical diagnosis of dentofacial midline asymmetries has been difficult because of the problems in locating a reliable median sagittal reference plane, and because of the complexity and time involved in analysis. For these reasons, the clinician has generally resorted to direct visual observation in diagnosing midline discrepancies. A quick, precise, chairside method of dentofacial midline analysis would be of benefit to the orthodontist.

This study presented a clinical photographic method of dentofacial midline analysis and compared its precision with that of direct observation. The photographic method employed an Orthoscan Polaroid intraoral camera (Unitek) with a positioning device used to relate the facial midline to the maxillary arch photograph. Orthodontic patients with midline discrepancies were assessed by both methods.

The study indicated that photo analysis had minimal advantage over direct observation in the diagnosis of midline asymmetries. Lack of precision seemed to be due to the inherent difficulties in establishing a true facial midplane. The minimal advantage, coupled with the additional time and expense involved, make the clinical practicality of photo analysis questionable.

LLU Discipline

Orthodontics

Department

Dentistry

School

Graduate School

First Advisor

Roland D. Walters

Second Advisor

Alden B. Chase

Third Advisor

John P. DeVincenzo

Fourth Advisor

Jack L. Tomlinson

Fifth Advisor

John K. Pearson

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Degree Level

M.S.

Year Degree Awarded

1973

Date (Title Page)

5-1973

Language

English

Library of Congress/MESH Subject Headings

Orthodontics; Photography

Type

Thesis

Page Count

vi; 38

Digital Format

PDF

Digital Publisher

Loma Linda University Libraries

Usage Rights

This title appears here courtesy of the author, who has granted Loma Linda University a limited, non-exclusive right to make this publication available to the public. The author retains all other copyrights.

Collection

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Collection Website

http://scholarsrepository.llu.edu/etd/

Repository

Loma Linda University. Del E. Webb Memorial Library. University Archives

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