Digital imaging in the assessment of facial deformity.

A combination of digital imaging and conventional radiographic techniques has been used to obtain a life-size composite image of the facial soft tissue profile, the skull, and the teeth, anatomically superimposed on each other. The system overcomes major problems associated with assessment of facial deformity such as magnification, the exposure of photographs and radiographs from different positions, radiographs with overexposed soft tissue profiles, lengthy procedures in photographic studios, and, in addition, enables a degree of partial automation in the management of patients.