Combining Intraoral Scans, Cone Beam Computed Tomography and Face Scans: The Virtual Patient.

PURPOSE

The aim of this literature review was to provide an update on the current scientific knowledge in the field of 3D virtual patient science and to identify a possible easy, smart, and affordable method to combine different file formats obtained from different digital devices.

METHODS

Electronic searches of the Medline database was performed, up to May 2017, for articles dealing with the construction of a 3D virtual patient; the matching of data acquired with different digital devices (cone beam computed tomography, CBCT; face scanner, FS; intraoral scanner, IOS; and desktop scanner, DS) was considered. The inclusion of studies was based on the superimposition of at least 2 different digital sources.

RESULTS

Twenty-five studies were selected for subsequent examination. Only 3 studies analyzed the feasibility of superimposition of 3 different types of 3D data (CBCT + FS + IOS/DS). The most frequently used matching procedure was between CBCT and FS and CBCT and IOS/DS.

CONCLUSION

The procedure of superimposition of data from CBCT, IOS, and FS is currently feasible and it is now possible to create a 3D "virtual patient" to better diagnose, plan the treatment, and communicate with patients.