title: Testing a Novel 3D Printed Radiographic Imaging Device for Use in Forensic Odontology.
abstract: There are specific challenges related to forensic dental radiology and difficulties in aligning X-ray equipment to teeth of interest. Researchers used 3D printing to create a new device, the combined holding and aiming device (CHAD), to address the positioning limitations of current dental X-ray devices. Participants (N = 24) used the CHAD, soft dental wax, and a modified external aiming device (MEAD) to determine device preference, radiographer's efficiency, and technique errors. Each participant exposed six X-rays per device for a total of 432 X-rays scored. A significant difference was found at the 0.05 level between the three devices (p = 0.0015), with the MEAD having the least amount of total errors and soft dental wax taking the least amount of time. Total errors were highest when participants used soft dental wax-both the MEAD and the CHAD performed best overall. Further research in forensic dental radiology and use of holding devices is needed.
authors.affiliation: School of Dental Hygiene, College of Health Sciences, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA, 23529.
authors.forename: Tara L
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Newcomb
authors.affiliation: School of Dental Hygiene, College of Health Sciences, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA, 23529.
authors.forename: Ann M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Bruhn
authors.affiliation: Virginia Modeling, Analysis & Simulation Center, Old Dominion University, Suffolk, VA, 23535.
authors.forename: Bridget
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Giles
authors.affiliation: Virginia Modeling, Analysis & Simulation Center, Old Dominion University, Suffolk, VA, 23535.
authors.forename: Hector M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Garcia
authors.affiliation: Mathematics and Statistics, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA, 23529.
authors.forename: Norou
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Diawara
mesh_terms: D005553:Forensic Dentistry / Q000295:instrumentation*; D006801:Humans; D066330:Printing, Three-Dimensional; D011861:Radiography, Dental / Q000295:instrumentation*
keywords: 3D printing; antemortem; dental radiology technique; forensic dental identification; forensic dentistry; forensic odontology; forensic science; intraoral forensic radiography; postmortem; radiation safety