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A Comparative Accuracy Study of Nasal Soft Tissue Measurements Using a 3D Facial Scanner and Conventional Methods
Negar Ebrahimi1,2, Somayeh Niakan1,2
1Dental Implant Research Center, Dentistry Research Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran, tums.ac.ir.
International Journal of Dentistry
|February 19, 2026
Summary
A structured-light 3D facial scanner accurately measures facial soft tissues, offering a precise and reliable alternative for craniomaxillofacial measurements in surgery and prosthetics.
Area of Science:
- Craniomaxillofacial surgery
- Medical imaging
- Biotechnology
Background:
- Facial morphology analysis is crucial for craniomaxillofacial prosthetics and surgery.
- Applications include preoperative diagnosis, postoperative evaluation, and symmetry analysis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the accuracy of a structured-light 3D facial scanner for measuring facial soft tissues.
Main Methods:
- 21 adult participants underwent conventional alginate impressions and 3D facial scanning.
- Six facial landmarks were identified and measured using the 3D scanner and linear calipers on casts.
- Accuracy was assessed via reliability analysis and paired t-tests.
Main Results:
- Mean absolute error ranged from 0.18 to 0.44 mm; mean relative error was 0.00 to 0.02.
- 69.3% of measurements were within 0.3 mm, 86.1% within 0.5 mm.
- Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) > 0.9 indicated high consistency; paired t-tests showed no significant systematic differences (p > 0.05) except for one measurement.
Conclusions:
- The structured-light 3D face scanner is a precise and reliable tool for maxillofacial measurements.
- It presents a viable alternative to traditional measurement methods in clinical practice.
