Predicting changes of incisor and facial profile following orthodontic treatment: a machine learning approach

Abstract Background Facial aesthetics is one of major motivations for seeking orthodontic treatment. However, even for experienced professionals, the impact and extent of incisor and soft tissue changes remain largely empirical. With the application of interdisciplinary approach, we aim to predict t...

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Main Authors: Jing Peng, Yan Zhang, Mengyu Zheng, Yanyan Wu, Guizhen Deng, Jun Lyu, Jianming Chen
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-03-01
Series:Head & Face Medicine
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s13005-025-00499-5
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author Jing Peng
Yan Zhang
Mengyu Zheng
Yanyan Wu
Guizhen Deng
Jun Lyu
Jianming Chen
author_facet Jing Peng
Yan Zhang
Mengyu Zheng
Yanyan Wu
Guizhen Deng
Jun Lyu
Jianming Chen
author_sort Jing Peng
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Facial aesthetics is one of major motivations for seeking orthodontic treatment. However, even for experienced professionals, the impact and extent of incisor and soft tissue changes remain largely empirical. With the application of interdisciplinary approach, we aim to predict the changes of incisor and profile, while identifying significant predictors. Methods A three-layer back-propagation artificial neural network model (BP-ANN) was constructed to predict incisor and profile changes of 346 patients, they were randomly divided into training, validation and testing cohort in the ratio of 7:1.5:1.5. The input data comprised of 28 predictors (model measurements, cephalometric analysis and other relevant information). Changes of U1-SN, LI-MP, Z angle and facial convex angle were set as continuous outcomes, mean square error (MSE), mean absolute error (MAE) and coefficient of determination (R²) were used as evaluation index. Change trends of Z angle and facial convex angle were set as categorical outcomes, accuracy, precision, recall, and F1 score were used as evaluation index. Furthermore, we utilized SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP) method to identify significant predictors in each model. Results MSE/MAE/R2 values for U1-SN were 0.0042/0.055/0.84, U1-SN, MP-SN and ANB were identified as the top three influential predictors. MSE/MAE/R2 values for L1-MP were 0.0062/0.063/0.84, L1-MP, ANB and extraction pattern were identified as the top three influential predictors. MSE/MAE/R2 values for Z angle were 0.0027/0.043/0.80, Z angle, MP-SN and LL to E-plane were considered as the top three influential indicators. MSE/MAE/R2 values for facial convex angle were 0.0042/0.050/0.73, LL to E-plane, UL to E-plane and Z angle were considered as the top three influential indicators. Accuracy/precision/recall/F1 Score of the change trend of Z angle were 0.89/1.0/0.80/0.89, Z angle, Lip incompetence and LL to E-plane made the largest contributions. Accuracy/precision/recall/F1 Score of the change trend of facial convex angel were 0.93/0.87/0.93/0.86, key contributors were LL to E-plane, UL to E-plane and Z angle. Conclusion BP-ANN could be a promising method for objectively predicting incisor and profile changes prior to orthodontic treatment. Such model combined with key influential predictors could provide valuable reference for decision-making process and personalized aesthetic predictions.
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spelling doaj-art-269bb07cfb0b4f6eab8a0cf5942d30652025-08-20T02:10:20ZengBMCHead & Face Medicine1746-160X2025-03-0121111210.1186/s13005-025-00499-5Predicting changes of incisor and facial profile following orthodontic treatment: a machine learning approachJing Peng0Yan Zhang1Mengyu Zheng2Yanyan Wu3Guizhen Deng4Jun Lyu5Jianming Chen6Department of Orthodontics, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Guangdong Engineering Research Center of Oral Restoration and Reconstruction & Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Basic and Applied Research of Oral Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Medical UniversityDepartment of Orthodontics, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Guangdong Engineering Research Center of Oral Restoration and Reconstruction & Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Basic and Applied Research of Oral Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Medical UniversityDepartment of Orthodontics, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Guangdong Engineering Research Center of Oral Restoration and Reconstruction & Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Basic and Applied Research of Oral Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Medical UniversityDepartment of Orthodontics, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Guangdong Engineering Research Center of Oral Restoration and Reconstruction & Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Basic and Applied Research of Oral Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Medical UniversityDepartment of Stomatology, LianZhou People’s HospitalDepartment of Clinical Research, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan UniversityDepartment of Orthodontics, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Guangdong Engineering Research Center of Oral Restoration and Reconstruction & Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Basic and Applied Research of Oral Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Medical UniversityAbstract Background Facial aesthetics is one of major motivations for seeking orthodontic treatment. However, even for experienced professionals, the impact and extent of incisor and soft tissue changes remain largely empirical. With the application of interdisciplinary approach, we aim to predict the changes of incisor and profile, while identifying significant predictors. Methods A three-layer back-propagation artificial neural network model (BP-ANN) was constructed to predict incisor and profile changes of 346 patients, they were randomly divided into training, validation and testing cohort in the ratio of 7:1.5:1.5. The input data comprised of 28 predictors (model measurements, cephalometric analysis and other relevant information). Changes of U1-SN, LI-MP, Z angle and facial convex angle were set as continuous outcomes, mean square error (MSE), mean absolute error (MAE) and coefficient of determination (R²) were used as evaluation index. Change trends of Z angle and facial convex angle were set as categorical outcomes, accuracy, precision, recall, and F1 score were used as evaluation index. Furthermore, we utilized SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP) method to identify significant predictors in each model. Results MSE/MAE/R2 values for U1-SN were 0.0042/0.055/0.84, U1-SN, MP-SN and ANB were identified as the top three influential predictors. MSE/MAE/R2 values for L1-MP were 0.0062/0.063/0.84, L1-MP, ANB and extraction pattern were identified as the top three influential predictors. MSE/MAE/R2 values for Z angle were 0.0027/0.043/0.80, Z angle, MP-SN and LL to E-plane were considered as the top three influential indicators. MSE/MAE/R2 values for facial convex angle were 0.0042/0.050/0.73, LL to E-plane, UL to E-plane and Z angle were considered as the top three influential indicators. Accuracy/precision/recall/F1 Score of the change trend of Z angle were 0.89/1.0/0.80/0.89, Z angle, Lip incompetence and LL to E-plane made the largest contributions. Accuracy/precision/recall/F1 Score of the change trend of facial convex angel were 0.93/0.87/0.93/0.86, key contributors were LL to E-plane, UL to E-plane and Z angle. Conclusion BP-ANN could be a promising method for objectively predicting incisor and profile changes prior to orthodontic treatment. Such model combined with key influential predictors could provide valuable reference for decision-making process and personalized aesthetic predictions.https://doi.org/10.1186/s13005-025-00499-5Artificial neural networkOrthodontic treatmentProfile predictionIncisor predictionSHapley additive exPlanations
spellingShingle Jing Peng
Yan Zhang
Mengyu Zheng
Yanyan Wu
Guizhen Deng
Jun Lyu
Jianming Chen
Predicting changes of incisor and facial profile following orthodontic treatment: a machine learning approach
Head & Face Medicine
Artificial neural network
Orthodontic treatment
Profile prediction
Incisor prediction
SHapley additive exPlanations
title Predicting changes of incisor and facial profile following orthodontic treatment: a machine learning approach
title_full Predicting changes of incisor and facial profile following orthodontic treatment: a machine learning approach
title_fullStr Predicting changes of incisor and facial profile following orthodontic treatment: a machine learning approach
title_full_unstemmed Predicting changes of incisor and facial profile following orthodontic treatment: a machine learning approach
title_short Predicting changes of incisor and facial profile following orthodontic treatment: a machine learning approach
title_sort predicting changes of incisor and facial profile following orthodontic treatment a machine learning approach
topic Artificial neural network
Orthodontic treatment
Profile prediction
Incisor prediction
SHapley additive exPlanations
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s13005-025-00499-5
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AT mengyuzheng predictingchangesofincisorandfacialprofilefollowingorthodontictreatmentamachinelearningapproach
AT yanyanwu predictingchangesofincisorandfacialprofilefollowingorthodontictreatmentamachinelearningapproach
AT guizhendeng predictingchangesofincisorandfacialprofilefollowingorthodontictreatmentamachinelearningapproach
AT junlyu predictingchangesofincisorandfacialprofilefollowingorthodontictreatmentamachinelearningapproach
AT jianmingchen predictingchangesofincisorandfacialprofilefollowingorthodontictreatmentamachinelearningapproach