Chung How Kau, BDS, MSCD, MBA, PhD, MORTH, FDS, FFD, FAMS associate professor of orthodontics and director of the 3D Facial Imaging Lab, Dental Branch
	Three-Dimensional Analysis of Soft Tissue Growth in Children Aged 11 to 16 Years
Ever wish you could look at a child’s face and see their future?  Well, Chung How Kau, BDS, MScD, MBA, PhD, MOrth, FFD, FDS, FAMS, has the ability.   The associate professor of orthodontics and director of imaging facility at The University of Texas Dental Branch at Houston can take a child’s picture and show you what he or she might look like in the future.  The images acquired aren’t just a novelty but, important research that could possibly return a lost child or give someone back their self-esteem.  Every day children go missing.  The first thing authorities ask for is a photograph of the child for identification.  Because children grow at exponential rates, if a child is missing for a great length of time, the pictures will no longer resemble that individual.  Three dimensional imaging can be used to produce more accurate, facial maps of what a person might look like with age progression.  These images have been helpful to law enforcement and the public in identifying and bringing children safely home after abduction. Reconstructive facial surgery can be a very powerful and positive thing to those who have suffered a disfigurement or accident.  Three dimensional imaging can be instrumental in creating a blueprint to reconstruct the original shape of a face.  Kau uses his imaging tools and data he has been collecting on soft tissue to recreate what a face could look like after defect, a botched surgery or even before an accident.  For some victims, this will give them their life back, a sense of normalcy, and a sense of pride.  In 2003, Kau began collaborating on his project with the University of Cardiff in the United Kingdom.  His training in orthodontics has allowed him to see constant changes in the face, especially in growing, maturing children. Over a two year period, Kau and his colleagues evaluated 95 children with a three dimensional laser imaging device.  Their major findings were that over time, the main difference was morphological differences between males and females, with drastically more significant changes in males.  In all of the children studied, it was noted that the face grew in a downward direction and orthodontic treatment did not have a dominant affect on facial growth. Kau is one of the recipients of the 2007 Office of International Programs Award.  He will use his award for funding of the three dimensional equipment and software as well as travel costs in order to maintain the on-going collaboration with the University of Cardiff.  Kau continues to broaden his research by currently collecting and comparing data on soft tissue between Hispanic and Afro-American children.
Dr. Kau and his team at work.
Latest issue of American Journal of Orthodontics and Dento-facial Orthopedics with Dr. Kau's work featured on the cover.