Measuring 3-dimensional tooth movement with a 3-dimensional surface laser scanner

Abstract

The 3D laser scanner provides accurate and reliable measurements of tooth displacement and can be considered an alternative to cephalometric radiographs.

Quantification of Dental Movements in Orthodontic Follow-Up: A Novel Approach Based on Registration of 3d Models of Dental Casts

“…On the other side, a parallel issue concerns the assessment of dental displacement powered by orthodontic therapy, in order to verify the clinical success and provide corrections. Surprisingly, although the constant development of 3D image acquisition systems has represented a crucial revolution in dentistry, their application to the field of orthodontics is still at the beginning and most of their potentiality remains to be explored 8 . An example is provided by Thirvenkatachari et al who proposed a protocol for the registration of 3D surfaces and calculation of displacement of the center of mass of dental elements 8 .…”

“…This procedure is based on the registration of 3D models of casts performed at different times and registration of surfaces according to the least point-to-point distance between the respective surfaces including palatal rugae. Displacement of molars was then assessed according to possible movements of their center of mass as calculated by the software 8 . The authors state that the use of laser scanner provides accurate and reliable measurements of dental displacement and might be a valid alternative to cephalometric radiographs 8 .…”

“…Displacement of molars was then assessed according to possible movements of their center of mass as calculated by the software 8 . The authors state that the use of laser scanner provides accurate and reliable measurements of dental displacement and might be a valid alternative to cephalometric radiographs 8 . However, the potential advantages which may derive from 3D-3D superimposition techniques have still to be explored: for example, the previously cited study took only the center of mass of the tooth into consideration, whereas techniques of registration may give information on the displacement of the entire surface of the dental crown, with a more anatomically adherent evaluation of dental arch modifications.…”

Quantification of Dental Movements in Orthodontic Follow-Up: A Novel Approach Based on Registration of 3d Models of Dental Casts

“…Surprisingly, although the constant development of 3D image acquisition systems has represented a crucial revolution in dentistry, their application to the field of orthodontics is still at the beginning and most of their potentiality remains to be explored 8 . An example is provided by Thirvenkatachari et al who proposed a protocol for the registration of 3D surfaces and calculation of displacement of the center of mass of dental elements 8 . This type of approach provides a metrical information but is not able to predict the modifications of the entire dental surfaces, especially where the movements do not consider dental translation.…”

“…In addition metrical measurements taken on digital models have been widely tested and proved to be reliable, with a high concordance with measurements taken directly on the plaster models [5][6][7] . However, surprisingly very few studies have tested 3D image acquisition systems so far for assessment of orthodontic therapies: an example was provided by Thiruvenkatachari et al who first developed a protocol for 3D-3D superimposition of three-dimensional models of dental casts acquired through a laser scanner 8 . This procedure is based on the registration of 3D models of casts performed at different times and registration of surfaces according to the least point-to-point distance between the respective surfaces including palatal rugae.…”