Integration accuracy of digital dental models and 3-dimensional computerized tomography images by sequential point- and surface-based markerless registration

Abstract

Objective: The goal of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of the integration of computerized tomography (CT)-based bone models and laser-scanned dental models by sequential point- and surface-based markerless registration to create a digital maxillofacial-dental model.

Study design: The integration accuracy was evaluated in normal skulls (group I) and subjects with maxillofacial deformities (group II) by measuring the distance between the integrated models (for group I and II) and between the final integrated model and the laser-scanned original skull model (for group I).

Results: The average error ranged between 0 and 0.2 mm without statistically significant difference in the region of maxilla or mandible and in tooth location.

Conclusions: We could confirm that the integration can be made with good accuracy without the aid of fiducial markers for the maxillofacial-dental composite model from the different resolution of CT and dental models.