Intra-oral scanning technology has brought a completely new approach to examination methods in dentistry. In comparison to traditional plaster casts, it allows more precise digital analysis of dental arch components during the treatment of dental disorders. Data acquired can also be used for the creation of three-dimensional (3D) models using 3D printers. This paper describes a data acquisition system, the mathematical processing of resulting three-dimensional model, and the statistical analysis of selected parameters of the dental arch. The study aims at comparing the results achieved from 20 models of the same individual acquired by different specialists. The proposed methodology includes mathematical rotation of objects into the optimal plane defined by the teeth tops' location to increase the accuracy of the resulting parameters. The mean evaluated distances between canines (3-3) and premolars (5-5) are 24.29 mm and 37.98 mm, respectively, for the lower dental arch. The proposed object rotation increased these distance by 0.9% and 1.4%, respectively, reducing the rotation error. Moreover, the variability of results decreased and the mean value of the coefficient of variation was lowered by 12%. Image registration was then used to evaluate changes of dental arch parameters. This paper presents the advantages of digital models for visualisation of the dental arch allowing its flexible rotation and evaluation of its parameters.
3D print techniques in dentistry have started to become an everyday part of clinical practice. The aim of our study was 3D objectification of stereolithography system (SLA) printed models, including surface analysis. Our investigated group consisted of 50 scans of upper dental arches of medical students obtained by 3Shape TRIOS 3 ® in the form of standard template library (STL) files. SLA 3D printer-built layers of an upper dental arch model were made by using liquid polymer hardened by laser beam (blue 405 nm laser). Each 3D SLA model was scanned from 56 positions and a section to check the precision of reconstruction. The model surface was evaluated with a profilometer, scanning electron microscope, and stereomicroscope. Differences between the intraoral scanned digital STL models and 3D SLA prints were very small, namely in hundredths of mm, and in many cases, they were also significant at lower levels. Stereolithography prepared fine-grained structures, the models were more homogeneous and smoother, and soft layering remains were visible if compared with plaster grainy surface structure showing sharp edges of orthorhombic crystals. The study has shown the precision of 3D SLA models along all three axes, a, b, c, in the whole model volume and also in cross-section. The advantages for dentistry are the colors: white, yellow and light brown; SLA models are stable and can be used repeatedly. In addition, a virtual database of models can save space in the dental office or lab.
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