[Automatic superimpositions of 3-dimensional craniofacial imaging: illustration with a mandibular distraction...

When performed several times over the course of an orthodontic or surgical orthodontic treatment, three-dimensional (3D) imaging like CBCT or CT-Scans can be superimposed. The purpose of this article is to illustrate the implementation of voxel-based 3D superimpositions with a clinical case of mandibular distraction osteogenesis A 13-year old patient underwent a surgical orthodontic treatment with a « 3D » mandibular distractor. He presented a bilateral atrophy of his mandibular condyles due to a staphylococcus aureus bacteremia at birth. 3D general and mandibular regional superimpositions were performed using CT-Scan and CBCT images acquired respectively before and after completion of the distraction osteogenesis. Two superimposition methods were used, one relying on commercially-available software and the other one relying on a series of « open-source » softwares. Using commercially-available software, 3D superimpositions were automatically performed in a few minutes by a sparsely-trained operator. The method relying on « open-source » software asked for more training and time. Results of the superimpositions were presented under various formats. Evaluation of 3D superimposition results is still challenging, as only a qualitative evaluation can be easily performed. In years to come, this interpretation should however become more straightforward for clinicians.