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Quantitative Assessment Protocol for Facial Soft Tissue Volumetric Changes with Stereophotogrammetry
Published on: December 9, 2025
294
Comparative Accuracy of Facial Models Fabricated Using Traditional and 3D Imaging Techniques
Ketu P Lincoln1, Albert Y T Sun2, Thomas J Prihoda3
1Department of Graduate Prosthodontics, USAF, Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, TX.
Summary
Facial moulage impression methods and cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) imaging produced more accurate 3D printed facial models than 3D stereophotogrammetry (3D-SPG) scans. These findings highlight the superior accuracy of traditional and CBCT-based methods for facial model fabrication.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Dental Technology
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Accurate facial reconstruction is crucial in various medical and forensic applications.
- Traditional facial moulage and modern 3D imaging techniques offer different approaches to model fabrication.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the accuracy of facial models created via facial moulage versus 3D printing (3DP) using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) and 3D stereophotogrammetry (3D-SPG) soft tissue images.
Main Methods:
- A control phantom model (CPM) was created using 3D-SPG and 3DP.
- CBCT and 3D-SPG scans of the CPM were used to fabricate six testing models via 3DP.
- Facial moulages were created using reversible hydrocolloid and dental stone.
- A coordinate measuring machine assessed distances between fiducial markers on all models.
Main Results:
- Significant differences in accuracy were found among the fabrication methods (p < 0.05).
- The interaction between methods and fiducial markers was also significant (p < 0.05).
- Facial moulage and CBCT imaging methods demonstrated the highest accuracy.
Conclusions:
- 3DP models from 3D-SPG scans showed statistically significant differences in accuracy compared to facial moulage and CBCT-based 3DP models.
- 3DP models derived from 3D-SPG were less accurate than the control phantom model and those made using facial moulage and CBCT imaging.
