Craniofacial Phenomics: Three-Dimensional Assessment of the Size and Shape of Cranial and Dentofacial Structures

Mustafa Mian; Jenny Tan; Robin Yong; Ruth Williams; Agatha Labrinidis; Peter J Anderson; Sarbin Ranjitkar

doi:10.1007/978-1-0716-1847-9_9

Craniofacial Phenomics: Three-Dimensional Assessment of the Size and Shape of Cranial and Dentofacial Structures

Methods Mol Biol. 2022:2403:107-127. doi: 10.1007/978-1-0716-1847-9_9.

Authors

Mustafa Mian¹, Jenny Tan¹, Robin Yong¹, Ruth Williams², Agatha Labrinidis², Peter J Anderson^{1

3

4}, Sarbin Ranjitkar^{5

6}

Affiliations

¹ Adelaide Dental School, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia.
² Adelaide Microscopy, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia.
³ Australian Craniofacial Unit, Women's and Children's Hospital, North Adelaide, SA, Australia.
⁴ South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI), Adelaide, SA, Australia.
⁵ Adelaide Dental School, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia. [email protected].
⁶ Department of Dentistry and Oral Health, La Trobe Rural Health School, La Trobe University, Bendigo, VIC, Australia. [email protected].

PMID: 34913120
DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-1847-9_9

Abstract

Craniofacial phenomics has opened up numerous opportunities to correlate genetic and epigenetic factors to craniofacial phenotypes in order to improve our understanding of growth and development in health and disease. Three-dimensional (3D) imaging has played a key role in advancing craniofacial phenomics by facilitating highly sensitive and specific characterizations of craniofacial and dental morphology. Here we describe the use of micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) to image the murine craniofacial complex, followed by surface reconstruction for traditional morphometric analyses. We also describe the application of geometric morphometrics, based on Generalized Procrustes Analysis, for use in human premolars. These principles are interchangeable between various vertebrate species, and between various surface imaging techniques (including micro-CT and 3D surface scanners), offering a high level of versatility and precision for extensive phenotyping of the entire craniofacial complex.

Keywords: 3D reconstruction; 3D segmentation; Cranium; Mandible; Maxilla; Midface; Morphometrics; Teeth; micro-CT; nano-CT.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Animals
Humans
Imaging, Three-Dimensional
Mice
Phenomics*
Phenotype
Skull* / diagnostic imaging
X-Ray Microtomography