A comparison of plaster, digital and reconstructed study model accuracy.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the accuracy and reproducibility of a three-dimensional (3D) optical laser-scanning device to record the surface detail of plaster study models. To determine the accuracy of physical model replicas constructed from the 3D digital files.


METHODS
A method comparison study using 30 dental study models held in the Orthodontic Department, School of Dentistry, Cardiff University.


METHODS
Each model was captured three-dimensionally, using a commercially available Minolta VIVID 900 non-contact 3D surface laser scanner (Konica Minolta Inc., Tokyo, Japan), a rotary stage and Easy3DScan integrating software (TowerGraphics, Lucca, Italy). Linear measurements were recorded between landmarks, directly on each of the plaster models and indirectly on the 3D digital surface models, on two separate occasions by a single examiner. Physical replicas of two digital models were also reconstructed from their scanned data files, using a rapid prototyping (RP) manufacturing process, and directly evaluated for dimensional accuracy.


RESULTS
The mean difference between measurements made directly on the plaster models and those made on the 3D digital surface models was 0.14 mm, and was not statistically significant (P = 0.237). The mean difference between measurements made on both the plaster and virtual models and those on the RP models, in the z plane was highly statistically significant (P <0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
The Minolta VIVID 900 digitizer is a reliable device for capturing the surface detail of plaster study models three-dimensionally in a digital format but physical models of appropriate detail and accuracy cannot be reproduced from scanned data using the RP technique described.
Keating
Andrew P
AP
Regional Orthodontic Unit, Waterford Regional Hospital, Waterford, Ireland.
Knox
Jeremy
J
Bibb
Richard
R
Zhurov
Alexei I
AI
D002133:Calcium Sulfate / Q000737:chemistry; D017076:Computer-Aided Design; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods*; D007834:Lasers; D003765:Models, Dental / Q000592:standards*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012984:Software; D013499:Surface Properties; D014584:User-Computer Interface
D002133:Calcium Sulfate