Development of a 4-dimensional virtual patient in motion: A digital concept

Area of Science:

• Dentistry
• Medical Imaging
• Computer-Aided Design

Background:

• Accurate digital patient representation is crucial for modern dental diagnostics and treatment planning.
• Integrating multiple data sources (intraoral scans, CBCT, facial scans, jaw motion) presents a significant challenge in creating comprehensive virtual models.
• Existing methods often lack seamless integration of diverse data types, limiting their clinical utility.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate a novel workflow for superimposing various patient scan data (IOS, FS, CBCT, JMT) into a unified 4-dimensional virtual patient (4DVP) model.
• To demonstrate the feasibility of automatic data alignment using virtual casts as a common link.
• To establish a foundation for advanced digital diagnosis, treatment simulation, and patient communication.

Main Methods:

• A workflow was developed to superimpose Standard Tessellation Language (STL) intraoral scan (IOS) data, extraoral scan (EOS) facial scanning (FS) data, cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) DICOM data, and jaw motion tracking (JMT) data.
• Automatic alignment was achieved by utilizing existing virtual casts of dental arches as a common reference point across different datasets.
• Facial scanning (FS) and CAD software programs facilitated the integration and alignment process.

Main Results:

• A proof-of-concept successfully demonstrated the automatic superimposition of IOS, CBCT (STL formatted), EOS, and JMT data.
• The use of virtual casts as a common link proved effective for aligning disparate datasets.
• The integrated data formed a cohesive 4-dimensional virtual patient (4DVP) model.

Conclusions:

• The presented novel 4DVP model superimposition technique offers a comprehensive digital representation of the patient.
• This technique enables advanced digital diagnosis, simulation of treatment outcomes, and improved patient expectation management.
• The 4DVP model serves as an effective tool for communication between clinicians and patients.