A method for assessing the position of the jaws in the sagittal plane using a digital diagnostic platform based on unique human landmarks: a one-step study

BACKGROUND: Anomalies of occlusion in the sagittal plane (distal and mesial occlusion) occupy the first place in the structure of all maxillary-facial anomalies, and the lack of consensus among specialists on the diagnosis and treatment planning of such patients determines the relevance of their study. The use of a stable, extracranial landmark such as the forehead and the glabella soft tissue point opens up the possibility of determining the optimal position of the jaws in the sagittal plane in the cranial space, which would be unique for each patient. To assess the optimal position of the jaws in the sagittal plane relative to the forehead of patients, it is customary to use hard-to-reach manual diagnostic meters and templates. Therefore, until now, the study of maxillary-facial anomalies using unique human landmarks remains inaccessible to specialists. A new diagnostic platform for assessing the position of the jaws in the sagittal plane using a 3D photo of the face can solve this problem. Against the background of obtaining new diagnostic data, there is a need for a comparative assessment of manual and programmatic methods for diagnosing the position of the jaws in the sagittal plane.

AIM: To compare manual and new digital methods for determining the optimal position of the jaws in the sagittal plane.

METHODS: The study was conducted at the MOSORTO Orthodontics clinic, as well as on the basis of the UNIDENT dental clinic network, from March 1 to October 31, 2025. 50 patients (25 men and 25 women) aged 18-50 years (mean age 32±3.4 years) were examined with skeletal abnormalities of occlusion in the sagittal plane. All the subjects underwent diagnosis and planning of orthodontic treatment according to the unique human guidelines (Six Elements of Orofacial Harmony), first by manual (manual) method, then using a new digital diagnostic platform. Both methods (manual and using software) were compared with each other by 6 parameters.

RESULTS: Correlation analysis (Spearman's rank correlation coefficient) showed that a statistically significant positive correlation was found in all the compared parameters (p<0.0001). For most measurements, the error ranges from 3 to 8%.

CONCLUSION: The new diagnostic platform for assessing the position of the jaws in the sagittal plane based on unique landmarks using 3D facial photos is comparable to a manual technique for diagnosing and planning treatment of anomalies of the maxillary system in the sagittal direction.