The purpose of this study was to determine the accuracy of a new high resolution digital camera-based three-dimensional system called Di3D by comparing with traditional direct anthropometry using digital calipers. The study sample consisted of 20 young adults, 10 male and 10 female. Facial soft tissue landmarks were identified and five linear distances were measured between the landmarks for each subject using the two methods; Di3D camera system and a digital caliper. No statistically significant differences (P > 0.05) were found for all five facial soft tissue distances measured by the Di3D camera system and the digital caliper. The magnitude of differences was very small (mean = 0.73 mm). Good congruence was observed between the means derived from the Di3D system and the digital caliper.
The overall mean differences of the five measurements with these two methods were small enough to be clinically insignificant. The results show that both methods are concordant and one method can replace the other in clinical use.