title: Craniofacial applications of three-dimensional laser surface scanning.
abstract: Recent innovations in technology have generated a variety of techniques for medical imaging. One of these initially developed for industry is laser surface scanning. Laser surface scanning is a noninvasive method for acquiring three-dimensional (3D) images. In this article, the technology of 3D laser surface scanning is described, and a few applications are reported as it relates to craniofacial research and clinical practice. Advantages and disadvantages of this imaging modality are discussed. Three-dimensional laser surface scanning holds great promise as it relates to the documentation, analysis, and evaluation of treatment results in craniofacial anomalies.
authors.affiliation: The Craniofacial Center and dagger Department of Orthodontics, The University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60612, USA. jdaw@uic.edu
authors.forename: Adriana C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Da Silveira
authors.forename: Joseph L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Daw
authors.forename: Budi
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Kusnoto
authors.forename: Carla
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Evans
authors.forename: Mimis
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cohen
mesh_terms: D019465:Craniofacial Abnormalities / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D005145:Face / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods*; D007223:Infant; D007834:Lasers; D012886:Skull / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D016896:Treatment Outcome