title: Soft tissue image reconstruction using cone-beam computed tomography combined with laser scanning: a novel method to evaluate the masticatory mucosa.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To construct a 3-D model of the masticatory mucosa to measure the thickness of the facial/lingual gingiva and palatal mucosa.
  
  
  METHODS
  Maxillofacial regions of 8 volunteers were scanned using cone-beam computed tomography to generate 3-D maxillary and mandibular models. Digital models were obtained by laser scanning of the impressions. Models were constructed using global data registration and Boolean subtraction. Accuracy was assessed by comparison against control patients with a periodontal pack around their gingival boundaries. Inter- and intra-observer variability were determined.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Masticatory mucosa models (in stereolithography format) showed the gingival and mucosal contours. The gingival thickness of the 3-D models and controls were not significantly different (P > .05). The interclass correlation coefficient and Kappa values indicated good intra-observer and inter-observer agreement, respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Cone-beam computed tomography combined with laser scanning can be reliable for visualizing and measuring the thickness of the masticatory mucosa.
authors.affiliation: Capital Medical University School of Stomatology, Beijing 100050, China; Diagnosis & Treatment Center of Oral Diseases of the PLA, The 306 th Hospital of the PLA, Beijing 100101, China.
authors.forename: Shu
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Yan
authors.affiliation: Capital Medical University School of Stomatology, Beijing 100050, China; Diagnosis & Treatment Center of Oral Diseases of the PLA, The 306 th Hospital of the PLA, Beijing 100101, China. Electronic address: Shishenggen001@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Sheng-Gen
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Shi
authors.affiliation: Diagnosis & Treatment Center of Oral Diseases of the PLA, The 306 th Hospital of the PLA, Beijing 100101, China.
authors.forename: Zhong-Ying
authors.initials: ZY
authors.lastname: Niu
authors.affiliation: Capital Medical University School of Stomatology, Beijing 100050, China.
authors.forename: Zhen-hua
authors.initials: ZH
authors.lastname: Pei
authors.affiliation: Diagnosis & Treatment Center of Oral Diseases of the PLA, The 306 th Hospital of the PLA, Beijing 100101, China.
authors.forename: Su-Meng
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Shi
authors.affiliation: China Rehabilitation Research Centre for Deaf Children, Beijing 100029, China.
authors.forename: Chen
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Mu
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D054893:Cone-Beam Computed Tomography; D005145:Face / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D005260:Female; D005881:Gingiva / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D007834:Lasers; D008297:Male; D003765:Models, Dental; D009061:Mouth Mucosa / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D010159:Palate / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D012984:Software; D013382:Subtraction Technique