Investigation of the relationship between two-point discrimination with craniofacial anthropometric measurement in the facial region in healthy young individuals

Aim: To determine the values of two point discrimination at sensory area of trigeminal nerve of healthy, young women and men. To examine the relationship between these values and anthropometric measurements of face. Material and Method: 128 university students (64 women and 64 men) between ages of 18-25 were evaluated. The ones who have pain, numbness, swelling, hematoma, craniofacial anomaly at facial region and history of trauma, facial paralysis, plastic and reconstructive surgery, diabetes, dental treatment (for 3 months) and piercing users were excluded from investigation. Craniofacialanthropometric measurements were made from 12 regions which were determined from between international referance points by using tape for head region and using digital sliding caliper for other regions. Two point discrimination measurements were evaluated bilaterally on 8 regions (forehead, dorsum of nose, tip of nose, wings of nose, lower lip, upper lip, cheek and chin) which were determined in sensory region of trigeminal nerve. All measurements were denominated in milimeters. Results: A statiscially important differenece (p<0,05) was found between cases of women and men in terms of their height, weight and BMI (Body Mass Index) values out of their sociodemographic attributes and physical properties except their ages. In comparison of face anthropometric values between women and men, statistically a significant difference was found in terms of all anthropometric datas except head width and clearance, filtrum length(p<0,05). When vertical two point discrimination values of women and men compared, statistically a signifacant difference was found in values of women and men for right and left forehead, tip of nose, lower and upper lip, left chin and cheek(p<0,05). If horizontal two point discrimination values were compared, statistically a significant difference was found in measurements of women and men in terms of right and left forehead, wings of nose, right and left chin and cheek. A significant, positive relationship was seen between vertical and horizontal two-point discrimination values and anthropometric values. As stated in previously studies, brachycephaly and leptoprosopic facial type are commonly seen among Turkish public. In comparison of vertical two point discrimination values between groups which were constituted according to facial types, it was detected that vertical two point discrimination values at right forehead of individuals who have broad faceand vertical two point discrimination values at right chin and both sides of lower llip of individuals who have leptoprosopic facial type are higher than vertical two point discrimination values of individuals who have other facial types. Statistically a significant difference was not found in comparison of horizontal two point discrimination values of groups which constituted according to facial types(p>0,05). In comparison of two point discrimination values at right side of forehead, right side of nasal wings, tip of nose and left side of cheek between groups which constituted according to cranial types, the values were obtained from evaluation of leptoprosopic facial types are higher than the values of other facial types; two point discrimination values at the right side of cheek of individuals who have mesocephalic cranial type were found higherthan individuals who have other cranial types. Statistically a significant difference was not found in terms of horizontal two point discrimination values between groups which constituted according to their cranial types. Conclusion: According to study results, there is a difference between women and men in two point discrimination sensory at certain regions; at the same time it was found that two point discrimination sensory changes according to craniofacialanthropometric values. Normative datas of two point discrimination sensitivity at cranial and facial regions are important evaluation parameters for plastic surgery, ortodontics, physical therapy and rehabilitation and treatment of craniofacialanomalies, evaluation of treatment and surgery results and following progression. For this reason, our study shed light on a topic which was not taken part in literature previously. Key Words: Two Point Discrimination, Craniofacial Anthropometry, Trigeminal Sensitivity, Sensory