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Updated: Jan 20, 2026
A Postoperative Evaluation Guideline for Computer-Assisted Reconstruction of the Mandible
Published on: January 28, 2020
Development of a novel method for estimating the missing mandible using three-dimensional homologous models
Shuuji Namiki1, Yohsuke Makino2,3, Hirotaro Iwase3
1Department of Forensic Dentistry, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Institute of Science Tokyo, 1-5-45 Yushima, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8510, Japan. namiki.fde@tmd.ac.jp.
This study developed a 3D method to estimate a missing mandible from a skull using CT scans. The technique shows promising accuracy for forensic identification and reconstructing facial morphology.
Area of Science:
- Forensic Anthropology
- Medical Imaging
- 3D Reconstruction
Background:
- Mandible absence in skeletal remains hinders forensic identification and facial reconstruction.
- Previous 2D methods estimated only specific mandibular measurements, not overall shape.
- A 3D method for estimating the entire missing mandible from the cranium is needed.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a 3D estimation method for missing mandibles using cranial data.
- To utilize image analysis and homologous modeling theory for 3D mandibular reconstruction.
- To improve accuracy in forensic identification when the mandible is absent.
Main Methods:
- Created homologous 3D models of cranium and mandible from 200 Japanese subjects' CT scans.
- Employed principal component regression analysis on 3D point cloud data.
- Validated estimation accuracy using independent datasets.
Main Results:
- The 3D estimation method achieved a mean error of 2.324 ± 0.659 mm between estimated and actual mandibles.
- Multidimensional scaling confirmed estimated shapes closely matched ground truth.
- The method demonstrated satisfactory accuracy for 3D mandibular morphology estimation.
Conclusions:
- The developed 3D estimation technique is accurate and reliable.
- This method holds significant potential for forensic anthropology and facial reconstruction.
- It addresses the limitations of previous 2D methods for missing mandible estimation.
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