Application of three‐dimensional computed tomography in craniofacial clinical practice and research

Abstract

Following the invention of the first computed tomography (CT) scanner in the early 1970s, many innovations in threedimensional (3D) diagnostic imaging technology have occurred, leading to a wide range of applications in craniofacial clinical practice and research. Three-dimensional image analysis provides superior and more detailed information compared with conventional plain two-dimensional (2D) radiography, with the added benefit of 3D printing for preoperative treatment planning and regenerative therapy. Current state-of-the-art multidetector CT (MDCT), also known as medical CT, has an important role in the diagnosis and management of craniofacial injuries and pathology. Three-dimensional cone beam CT (CBCT), pioneered in the 1990s, is gaining increasing popularity in dental and craniofacial clinical practice because of its faster image acquisition at a lower radiation dose, but sound guidelines are needed to ensure its optimal clinical use. Recent innovations in micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) have revolutionized craniofacial biology research by enabling higher resolution scanning of teeth beyond the capabilities of MDCT and CBCT, presenting new prospects for translational clinical research. Even after four decades of refinement, CT technology continues to advance and broaden the horizons of craniofacial clinical practice and phenomics research.Keywords: Multidetector CT, cone beam CT, micro-CT, dentistry, teeth.Abbreviations and acronyms: 2D = two-dimensional; 3D = three-dimensional; CBCT = cone beam computed tomography; CLP = cleft lip and palate; CT = computed tomography; DEJ = dentino-enamel junction; FGFR2 = fibroblast growth factor receptor 2; micro-CT = micro-computed tomography; MDCT = multidetector computed tomography; MRI = magnetic resonance imaging; nano-CT = nanocomputed tomography; OPG = orthopantomograph; PET = positron emission tomography.

Three-dimensional profilometric assessment of early enamel erosion simulating gastric regurgitation

“…Future studies are needed to complement the data on profilometric changes from early erosion with changes in physical and chemical changes of the tooth structures using established and evolving techniques [51][52][53][54][55][56][57][58] in order to provide an holistic assessment of early erosion process. Such an approach will enable quantitative data to be gathered on enamel softening, together with qualitative observations of increased porosity in partially lost and demineralized hydroxyapatite crystals (as displayed in stages 2, 3 and 4 in Fig.…”

Design, construction and mechanical testing of digital 3D anatomical data-based PCL–HA bone tissue engineering scaffold

“…In 1988, Geol took advantage of CT geometrical scanning to reconstruct the human digital model, but the meshing accuracy of CT-based digitized human anatomical model was very low, it was difficult to ensure the accuracy of model solution results [26]. With the continuous development of CT and 3D reconstruction, especially the technological innovation of 32-row and over, multi-slice spiral CT and dual-source CT, the CT bone 3D imagingresolution keeps increasing, not only the resolution of field of view (FOV) has been significantly improved, the slice thickness could reach the mm level, providing the possibility towards the digitized reconstruction of CT-based 3D data [27,28]. However, the current CT 3D reconstruction of medical imaging is only the different post-processing methods towards the volume images, such as CT surfaceshading reconstruction (SSD), maximum intensity projection (MIP) and multiplanar reconstruction (MPR), etc.…”

“…Therefore, the cell delivery-based bone repairing technology, which is currently available in clinic, is still limited to the repairing of focal lesions [5]. In recent years, the high polymer-inorganic substances has become the hotspot in the bone tissue engineering (BTE) research because of its biodegradability and easy 3D processing [6], Alothman et al [7] found that the composite of high-density polyethylene (HDPE)-hydroxyapatite (HA) exhibited the tensile strength as up to [22][23][24][25][26][27][28] MPa and the changes of HA content might adjust the characteristic of composite; Zein et al [8] found that the compressive strength of poly-e-caprolactone (PCL) could reach 4-77 MPa, and the yield strength cold reach 0.4-3.6 MPa when the pore size was 160-700 mm and the porosity was 48-77 %, which was much more suitable for the requirements of BTE.…”

A volumetric assessment with a 3D scanner, of an eye reconstruction fabricated using the traditional handmade method. A comparative, pilot case study.

“…Advances in computer imaging have revolutionized medical science [23,25,25,26,27] its use in craniofacial deformities and a more comprehensive diagnosis and treatment plan can thus be obtained by this method, improving the treatment outcome. …”