# Interobserver reliability in the 3D facial scan assessment of the outcome in dermal filler therapy

## TL;DR

This study compares two methods for analyzing 3D facial scans to assess outcomes of dermal filler therapy in oral cleft patients.

## Contribution

The study evaluates and compares the interobserver reliability of two 3D facial scan assessment methods in dermal filler therapy outcomes.

## Key findings

- Both assessment methods showed high interobserver agreement among specialists.
- The methods may serve as a validation tool for dermal filler therapy outcomes.
- Further refinements are suggested for more consistent 3D facial scan analysis.

## Abstract

We conducted a prospective cohort study comparing interobserver reliability of 2 different 3D scanning measurement methods following dermal filler therapy in oral cleft patients.

The objective of the study was to compare the interobserver reliability of 2 different assessment methods of 3D facial scan data.

We studied 10 oral-cleft patients prospectively who underwent dermal filler therapy in the oral region by a single oral-surgeon using a modified injecting technique with 27 gauge 25 mm micro-cannula between 2021 and 2023. 3D facial scans were made before the treatment procedure and during follow-up visits and were used for analysis. The interbody fusion was scored on these 3D images using the 2 classification systems (Method 1, Method 2) by 3 experienced orthodontic specialists all of whom were blinded to clinical data and outcome.

Of the 2 classifications included in the current study, all classifications had a high interobserver agreement.

The 2 assessment methods used in this study showed high interobserver reliability so we can conclude that, the applied methods may provide as a validation in the outcome of dermal filler therapy. However, we suggest that further refinements may be required to achieve a reliable and consistent assessment of 3D facial scan analysis after dermal filler therapy in oral cleft patients.