Introduction and objective:

Virtual surgical planning uses clinical data, image testing, plaster models of dental arches and clinical photos to simulate an orthognathic. There are two ways to perform the scanning of plaster models: scanning for cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) or 3D scanner. The purpose of this study was to assess the accuracy and the degree of magnification of plaster model images obtained through 3D scanner and CBCT.

Materials and methods:

The control group was the measurement performed on 40 plaster models by Mitutoyo caliper. The same 40 models were scanned through 3D scanner and CBCT in order to compare the degree of distortion. The models were tested on the Dolphin software. Six measurements were performed in upper and lower arches: intermolar distance; intercanine distance; segment A; segment B; mesiodistal and cervico-incisal distance of the right-side central incisor.

Results:

There was no statistically significant difference for upper and lower models. However, CBCT had the degree of distortion of 2.34%, while the 3D scanner presented the degree of distortion of 2.37% comparing the degree of distortion of both methods with the digital caliper.

Conclusions:

It can be concluded that only the distances of segments A and B of the upper model were not compatible in both scanning methods with the measurements of digital caliper. However, considering all of the measurements, 3D scanner and CBCT are trustworthy to perform da linear measurements on digital models and are sufficiently adequate for initial diagnosis and and are clinically acceptable in clinical dental practices.

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