Creating three-dimensional virtual patients by superimposing intraoral and facial digital scans guided with an aligner system: A dental technique

Abstract

A technique for creating 3-dimensional virtual patients (3DVPs) by superimposing intraoral and facial digital scans guided with a novel aligner system is described. This aligner system supports design modifications to adapt to different facial scanning methods (FSMs) and reduce the impact of FSMs on the accuracy of 3DVPs. Two different designs of the aligner system are described: one for use with less-accurate FSMs and another for use with more-accurate FSMs. These virtual designs are available for download and use.