Acquisition of CT images for high quality rapid prototyping of human jaw

Abstract

Subperiosteal implants are currently fabricated by using the classic two-stage direct bone impression technique. The aim of our study is to assess the impact of computer tomography (CT) operating modes on accuracy of rapid prototyping of human jaw. The jaw prototype can be used for implant manufacture. The test object was scanned with a spiral computer tomography scanner, and then, the same object was scanned using 3D laser scanner NEXTENGINE HD. Using the ScanStudio HD 1.01 software, a standard three-dimensional computer model, required for this study, was formed. To obtain maximum accuracy and to prevent human from the exposure of X-rays, as a test object was chosen a body cranium with both cheeks, covered with a layer of paraffin (simulating a soft tissue). The 3D jaw model from CT data was made using Osirix 3.5 software. A computer models made using different technique were compared. The test results indicate hardware and software parameters impacting on the accuracy and surface quality of 3D computer model reconstructed from CT data.