Facial variation: from visual assessment to three-dimensional quantification

The extensive study presented by Toma and coworkers is one of the first presenting normative three-dimensional soft tissue face data derived from a large group of 15-year-old Caucasians using laser surface scanning. This data is not only important to quantify facial variation in a normal population but can help to analyse facial dysmorphology. The study methodology and statistical handling of the data provide a good basis for future studies into facial variation