Clinical and Sonographic Analysis of Biometric Indicators of Cheek Thickness and Cheek Fat Body in Patients with Different Face Types

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to conduct a scientific and practical analysis of clinical sonographic results of examination of patients with different face types in the process of planning the reconstruction of facial soft tissues with the involvement of buccal fat pad. Materials and methods. The study was conducted on 28 patients of different age groups (from 20 to 45 years old) with defects and deformities of the tissues of the dental system. Instrumental sonographic analysis of the thickness of the buccal fat body was performed using an ultrasound scanner GE Logiq E (USA), transducer frequency 7.5-12 MHz. The types of buccal fat pad of correct (oval) or irregular (“hourglass”) shapes were determined, as well as its localization in relation to the median axial location of the crown of the first upper molars and the average value of the buccal fat pad thickness with an accuracy of 0.01 mm. Results and discussion. The results of a clinical study of the average value of the thickness of the cheek of patients with mesofacial type of face allowed to establish that on the left its value is 8.94±0.89 mm, on the right side – 9.05±0.82 mm. In patients with brachyfacial type of face on the left the value of the thickness of the cheek is 12.33±1.63 mm, and on the right side – 12.44±1.54 mm. In patients with dolichofacial type of face on the left, the index of the thickness of the cheek reaches the value of 7.53±0.61 mm, on the right side – 8.58±1.093 mm. Statistical significance was determined in comparison with data from the group of patients with mesofacial facial type. The obtained statistical results show mediocre values of buccal fat pad thickness in patients with mesofacial type of face, which are 1.117 times larger than in dolichofacials and 0.73 times smaller than in brachyfacials, which should be taken into account when conducting sonographic studies. Differences in the quantitative values of buccal fat pad thickness, which are established by clinical and sonographic studies conducted in patients with different types of faces is recommended to take into account when choosing surgical approaches during surgical closure of tissue defects of the alveolar processes of the jaws with autologous buccal fat pad. Conclusion. Buccal fat pad has morphological advantages associated with its saturation with cell complexes that have significant degree of vascularization, pliable texture, plasticity and direct participation in the implementation of the basic functions of the maxillofacial area