title: Volumetric Analysis of Alveolar Bone Defect Using Three-Dimensional-Printed Models Versus Computer-Aided Engineering.
abstract: Knowing the volume of a graft is essential in repairing alveolar bone defects. This study investigates the 2 advanced preoperative volume measurement methods: three-dimensional (3D) printing and computer-aided engineering (CAE). Ten unilateral alveolar cleft patients were enrolled in this study. Their computed tomographic data were sent to 3D printing and CAE software. A simulated graft was used on the 3D-printed model, and the graft volume was measured by water displacement. The volume calculated by CAE software used mirror-reverses technique. The authors compared the actual volumes of the simulated grafts with the CAE software-derived volumes. The average volume of the simulated bone grafts by 3D-printed models was 1.52 mL, higher than the mean volume of 1.47 calculated by CAE software. The difference between the 2 volumes was from -0.18 to 0.42 mL. The paired Student t test showed no statistically significant difference between the volumes derived from the 2 methods. This study demonstrated that the mirror-reversed technique by CAE software is as accurate as the simulated operation on 3D-printed models in unilateral alveolar cleft patients. These findings further validate the use of 3D printing and CAE technique in alveolar defect repairing.
authors.affiliation: *Department of Cleft Lip and Palate †Digital Simulation Center ‡Research Center, Plastic Surgery Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China.
authors.forename: Fengzhou
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Du
authors.forename: Binghang
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Ningbei
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Yin
authors.forename: Yilin
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Cao
authors.forename: Yongqian
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Wang
mesh_terms: D064728:Alveolar Bone Grafting / Q000379:methods*; D000539:Alveolar Process / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D002648:Child; D017076:Computer-Aided Design; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D009929:Organ Size; D011184:Postoperative Period; D011300:Preoperative Care / Q000379:methods*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*