title: Three-dimensional craniofacial reconstruction imaging.
abstract: This review article aims to describe and discuss the imaging techniques most commonly used in medicine and dentistry to obtain three-dimensional images of the craniofacial complex. Three-dimensional imaging techniques provide extensive possibilities for the detailed and precise analysis of the whole craniofacial complex, for virtual (on-screen) simulation and real simulation of orthognathic surgery cases on biomodels before treatment, as well as for the detailed evaluation of the effects of treatment. Laser scanning in combination with the stereolithographic biomodeling seems to be a very promising combination for three-dimensional imaging, although there is still considerable room for improvement. Constant efforts should be made in the direction of developing and enhancing the existing techniques as well as exploring the potential for developing new methods based on emerging sectors of technology.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthodontics, School of Dentistry, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece. mikepap@dent.auth.gr
authors.forename: Moschos A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Papadopoulos
authors.forename: Panayiotis K
authors.initials: PK
authors.lastname: Christou
authors.forename: Payayiotis K
authors.initials: PK
authors.lastname: Christou
authors.forename: Athanasios E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Athanasiou
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Boettcher
authors.forename: Hans Florian
authors.initials: HF
authors.lastname: Zeilhofer
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sader
authors.forename: Nikolaos A
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Papadopulos
mesh_terms: D002508:Cephalometry; D017076:Computer-Aided Design; D003766:Dental Occlusion; D005147:Facial Bones / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D006696:Holography; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D007834:Lasers; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods; D008953:Models, Anatomic; D010347:Patient Care Planning; D010780:Photogrammetry; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures; D012886:Skull / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D025321:Surgery, Computer-Assisted; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods; D014584:User-Computer Interface