Investigating the Morphology of the Nasal Cavity for Nasal Reconstruction Using Cone Beam Computed Tomography Images

Background: Facial reconstruction is the procedure of rebuilding a face onto an anonymous skull to aid identification in forensic and archaeological cases. This study investigated the morphology of the nasal cavity for reconstruction by using cone beam computed tomography images. Materials and Methods: In this retrospective cross-sectional study, pre-treatment CBCT images of 220 adults were selected by random sampling from the records of orthodontic clinical data between January 2022 and November 2023. The three-dimensional parameters of the nasal soft structures and hard structures were measured. Results: Of 220 CBCT images, 198 cases (61.1% females and 38.9%males) were examined in the final analysis after meeting inclusion criteria. TStatistically significant sex differences were observed in nasal length (males: 50.79 ± 4.78 mm, females: 45.28 ± 4.18 mm; P < 0.05), nasal depth (males: 23.54 ± 2.43 mm, females: 26.05 ± 3.53 mm; P < 0.05), and nasal height (males: 49.81 ± 4.30 mm, females: 55.02 ± 4.49 mm; P < 0.05). The nasolabial angle was significantly higher in males (98.21° ± 8.34°) compared to females (89.71° ± 7.37°; P < 0.05). Conversely, the nasal tip angle was significantly higher in females (77.18° ± 8.45°) than in males (71.54° ± 8.20°; P < 0.05). A statistically significant difference was also observed in the nasal upward tip angle between males (23.8° ± 3.10°) and females (20.45° ± 2.98°; P < 0.05). Conclusion: This study revealed significant sex-based variations in nasal parameters. Males exhibited greater nasal length, depth, and nasal tip angle compared to females.