New methods for measuring and averaging three-dimensional soft-tissue morphology and change from laser scans using a color millimetric scale are described. The techniques were employed to measure facial differences between a group of Class I skeletal males and females. The surgical change in one patient following bimaxillary surgery is also illustrated. The combination of the laser scanning technique and the new color coding system probed to be a simple, noninvasive, effective, and easily interpreted method for measuring three-dimensional soft-tissue differences and change across the facial complex.
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