| The purpose of this study is to compare the facial morphologies of an adult African-American population to an adult Caucasian-American population using three-dimensional surface imaging. Materials and Methods: Three-dimensional facial images were captured via a stereo-photogrammetric camera system (3dMDface™ system). One hundred images of each population (African-American and Caucasian-American) were taken. Subjects were between 19–30 years of age, normal BMI, and no gross craniofacial anomalies. All facial images were aligned and combined using Rapidform 2006 Plus Pack 2 software to produce a male and female facial average for each population. The facial averages were then superimposed for comparison and the differences quantified and described. Results: Distinct differences were noted between the two populations. These differences were mostly in the forehead, alar base, and perioricular regions. The average facial difference between the African-American and Caucasian-American females was 1.18 ± 0.98 mm. The African-American females had a broader face, wider alar base, and more protrusive lips. The Caucasian-American females had a more prominent chin, malar region, and lower forehead. The average facial difference between the African-American and Caucasian-American males was 1.11 ± 1.04 mm. The African-American males had a more prominent upper forehead and periocular region, wider alar base, and more protrusive lips. However, there was no notable difference in chin points between the two male populations. Conclusions : Average faces can be created from three-dimensional photographs and used to compare the facial morphological differences between various populations and genders. African-American males tend to have a more prominent upper forehead and periocular region, wider alar base, and more protrusive lips. Caucasian-American males show a more prominent nasal tip and malar area. African-American females tend to have generally broader face, wider alar base, and more protrusive lips. Caucasian-American females show a more prominent chin point, malar region, and lower forehead.;Keywords: Facial morphology, African-American, Caucasian-American, 3D, Orthodontics. |
