title: Use of a scanning laser three-dimensional digitizer for analysis of dental materials.
abstract: A scanning laser 3-D digitizer was used to measure dimensions in dental impression materials, and its performance was compared with that of micrometer-based measuring instruments. It was found that the digitizer was precise enough to detect dimensional changes on the order of 40 microns, and it was automated enough to be convenient and almost eliminate operator errors. However, its operation required the services of an engineer for maintenance and a programmer for data analysis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostic and Surgical Sciences, University of Minnesota School of Dentistry, Minneapolis 55455.
authors.forename: D C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Quick
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Holtan
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D003764:Dental Materials; D007834:Lasers; D008422:Materials Testing / Q000379:methods*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012815:Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted; D013499:Surface Properties
chemical_list: D003764:Dental Materials