Robust visualization of the dental occlusion by a double scan procedure

A detailed visualization of the dental occlusion in 3D image-based planning environments for oral and maxillofacial planning is important. With CT imaging however, this occlusion is often deteriorated by streak artifacts caused by amalgam fillings. Moreover, more detailed surface information at the level of the dental cuspids is often desired. In this paper, a double scan technique is introduced to image the dental occlusion by means of a newly designed 3D splint. The patient wears this splint between the upper and lower teeth during CT-scan. In a second step, the splint is positioned between the plaster casts of the upper and lower jaw, and this setup is scanned. Based on markers in the 3D splint, both data sets are fused and a combined visualization is possible. The accuracy, robustness and applicability in clinical routine is shown. This technology enables meticulous 3D cephalometric analysis, detailed maxillofacial planning and opens possibilities towards intraoperative support.