title: Use of a scanning laser three-dimensional digitizer to evaluate dimensional accuracy of dental impression materials.
abstract: A steel die was machined to represent a dental arch with teeth prepared for complete crowns. Impressions and casts were made from the die, and critical dimensions were measured by two methods--one using micrometers and the other a scanning laser three-dimensional (3-D) digitizer. The digitizer recorded measurements were more precise than the micrometer's and virtually eliminated operator error because the acquisition of data was automatic. The digitizer could also be useful for high-precision analyses of the dimensional accuracy of dental impression materials, but the cost and complexity of the instrument makes it less desirable for low-precision work.
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostic and Surgical Sciences, University of Minnesota School of Dentistry, Minneapolis.
authors.forename: D C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Quick
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Holtan
authors.forename: G K
authors.initials: GK
authors.lastname: Ross
mesh_terms: D002138:Calibration; D003735:Dental Casting Technique; D003760:Dental Impression Materials / Q000737:chemistry*; D003761:Dental Impression Technique; D007834:Lasers; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D003765:Models, Dental; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012815:Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000295:instrumentation; D013193:Stainless Steel; D013499:Surface Properties; D014463:Ultrasonography
chemical_list: D003760:Dental Impression Materials; D013193:Stainless Steel