ANTHROPOMETRIC STUDY OF FACIAL PROPORTIONS IN YOUNG BULGARIANS BY 3D LASER SCANNING

Purpose: The analysis of data on the facial morphology of different populations has potential applications in the planning of reconstructive facial surgery and aesthetic procedures, as well as in the restoration of the profiles of unidentified individuals in the field of criminology. The aim of the present study was to investigate facial proportions in young Bulgarians. Material/Methods: The three-dimensional coordinates of several soft-tissue landmarks on the face were obtained using a hand-held laser scanner in 95 healthy individuals (46 males and 49 females) of Bulgarian origin, aged 21-30 years. Using these three-dimensional landmarks, the following linear distances were measured (mm): facial width (zyr-zyl), smallest forehead breadth (ftr-ftl), morphological facial height (n-gn), physiognomic upper facial height (n-sto), lower facial height (sto-gn), and height of the lower third of the face (sn-gn). Six facial indices were calculated based on these dimensions. Results: Three of the studied indices, (ftr-ftl x100/zyr-zyl), (n-sto x100/zyr-zyl), and (n-sto x100/n-gn), were found to be greater in females, with a statistically significant difference (p<0.05). Conversely, two indices, (sto-gn x 100/n-gn) and (sn-gn x 100/n-gn), exhibited higher values in males, reaching statistical significance (p<0.05). Conclusion: The results of the study indicated the presence of gender differences in the studied facial proportions in young Bulgarians. A comprehensive knowledge of the facial proportions typical of Bulgarian males and females is essential for orthodontic treatment as well as for aesthetic and maxillofacial surgery.