Application of facial soft tissue thickness for facial reconstruction using Cone-Beam Computed Tomography: A Review

Facial reconstruction using the measurement of soft tissue depth relies directly on the relationships between the facial features like the profile, thickness of subcutaneous soft tissues and the underlying bony shape and skull structure. The soft tissue thickness values vary significantly in different geographical areas due to the unique facial features of the individuals in that particular location. Thus there is a requirement to assess population-specific values those reported for comparable groups based on geographical locations and various ethnicities. This literature review is an attempt to shed some light on the need for soft tissue thickness facial reconstruction in various populations for the purpose of Forensic identification. This knowledge helps when there is no clue for potential identification of an individual, and as a result, the comparison of the same remains with any familiar material becomes impossible. In such cases, the recreation of antemortem appearance by face reconstruction becomes vital to positive identification. The radiographic examination can be used to examine the human cranium for qualitative or quantitative identification, directly or indirectly. At present a variant of medical Computed Tomography (CT) is applied in dentistry called Cone-Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) which uses lower levels of radiation but produces a similar resolution in skull imaging as well as digitization. At present, it is also being used in contemporary facial reconstruction studies. Through this review, we are trying to establish the use of an assessment of facial soft tissue thickness for the purpose of facial reconstruction using CBCT.