Creating three-dimensional tooth models from tomographic images

The use of Finite Element Analysis (FEA) is becoming very frequent in Dentistry. However, most of the three-dimensional models presented by the literature for teeth are limited in terms of geometry. Discrepancy in shape and dimensions can cause wrong results to occur. Sharp cusps and faceted contour can produce stress concentrations, which are incoherent with the reality.

The aim of this study was the processing of tomographic images in order to develop an advanced three-dimensional reconstruction of the anatomy of a molar tooth and the integration of the resulting solid with commercially available CAD/CAE software.

Computed tomographic images were obtained from 0.5 mm thick slices of mandibular molar and transferred to commercial cad software. Once the point cloud data have been generated, the work on these points started to get to the solid model of the tooth with Pro/Engineer software.

The obtained tooth model showed very accurate shape and dimensions, as it was obtained from real tooth data with error of 0.0 to -0.8 mm.

The methodology presented was efficient for creating a biomodel of a tooth from tomographic images that realistically represented its anatomy.