Integrating Facial and Intraoral Scans for Digital Esthetic and Occlusal Design: A Technical Report

J Prosthodont. 2021 Oct;30(8):729-733. doi: 10.1111/jopr.13397. Epub 2021 Jun 19.

Abstract

The provisional prosthesis is a prerequisite for prosthodontic rehabilitation. The purpose of this technique was to register facial and intraoral scans predictably. A 3D virtual patient was created through facial scans, intraoral scans, digital face-bow transfer, and digital cross-articulation technique. This virtual patient allowed predictable positioning of intraoral scans to a virtual articulator by using digital face-bow transfer. The resulting virtual patient facilitated the design of definitive prostheses following a facially generated treatment planning principle. In addition, the virtual articulator was used to improve occlusal design on the definitive prostheses and reduce the need for intraoral adjustment.

Keywords: Digital cross-articulation; digital facebow; virtual articulator; virtual patient.

MeSH terms

  • Computer-Aided Design
  • Dental Articulators*
  • Esthetics
  • Face* / diagnostic imaging
  • Humans
  • Patient Care Planning
  • Prosthodontics