The 4D virtual patient: A proof of concept in digital dentistry

Abstract

This dental technique article updates the 3-dimensional (3D) virtual patient digital workflow by introducing the space-time information acquired with jaw tracking motion. The direct digital procedure involved scanning the interim prostheses, creating virtual casts, and transferring the digital facebow, virtual articulation, and jaw-tracking motion. All 3D files and records from the intraoral scanner, cone beam computed tomography, extraoral scanner, and jaw tracking motion were superimposed using existing teeth as the connecting link in all data sets and adopting the best-fit alignment. The main advantages of the technique were creating a 4-dimensional virtual patient and standardizing the introduction of clinical space-time information (the fourth dimension) beyond the static condition.