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Published on: January 28, 2020
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Identification of a stable reference area for superimposing mandibular digital models.
Kiyong An1, Insan Jang1, Dong-Soon Choi1
1Department of Orthodontics, College of Dentistry, Gangneung-Wonju National University, 120, Gangneung Daehangno, 210-702, Gangneung, Korea.
Summary
Mandibular tori provide stable reference areas for superimposing three-dimensional (3D) digital models in adult orthodontic patients. Alveolar bone surfaces are less reliable, especially without tori, impacting treatment outcome accuracy.
Area of Science:
- Orthodontics
- Dental Imaging
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Accurate superimposition of three-dimensional (3D) digital models is crucial for assessing orthodontic treatment outcomes.
- The stability of reference areas used for superimposition directly impacts the reliability of measurements.
- Mandibular tori are bony protuberances that may offer stable landmarks.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the stability of buccal and lingual alveolar bone surfaces for superimposing 3D digital models of dental casts.
- To compare the reliability of different reference areas, including mandibular tori, for 3D model superimposition.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of pre- and posttreatment dental casts and cephalometric radiographs from 10 adult orthodontic patients.
- 3D digital models were created from scanned dental casts using reverse modeling software.
- Superimposition was performed using the best-fit method on various reference areas: lingual alveolar bone, buccal/lingual alveolar bone, and mandibular tori.
Main Results:
- In patients without mandibular tori, differences between cephalograms and 3D models ranged from 0.8-1.9 mm (median) and 1.5-10.0 mm (maximum).
- Superimposition on Area 2 (lingual alveolar surface of anterior and posterior teeth) showed greater discrepancies than Areas 1 and 3.
- In patients with mandibular tori, median differences were below 1.0 mm, with a maximum of 0.7 mm.
Conclusions:
- Buccal and lingual alveolar bone surfaces near the dentition are unsuitable as reference areas for superimposing 3D mandibular models in patients without mandibular tori.
- Mandibular tori in adult patients are stable structures and can be reliably used as reference areas for 3D digital model superimposition in orthodontics.
