PURPOSE: The purpose of this virtual analysis study was to compare the accuracy and precision of 3-dimensional (3D) ear models generated by scanning gypsum casts with a smartphone camera and a desktop laser scanner.
MATERIAL AND METHODS: Six ear casts were fabricated from green dental gypsum and scanned with a laser scanner. The resultant 3D models were exported as standard tessellation language (STL) files. A stereophotogrammetry system was fabricated by using a motorized turntable and an automated microcontroller photograph capturing interface. A total of 48 images were captured from 2 angles on the arc (20 degrees and 40 degrees from the base of the turntable) with an image overlap of 15 degrees, controlled by a stepper motor. Ear 1 was placed on the turntable and captured 5 times with smartphone 1 and tested for precision. Then, ears 1 to 6 were scanned once with a laser scanner and with smartphones 1 and 2. The images were converted into 3D casts and compared for accuracy against their laser scanned counterparts for surface area, volume, interpoint mismatches, and spatial overlap. Acceptability thresholds were set at <0.5 mm for interpoint mismatches and >0.70 for spatial overlap.
RESULTS: The test for smartphone precision in comparison with that of the laser scanner showed a difference in surface area of 774.22 ±295.27 mm2 (6.9% less area) and in volume of 4228.60 ±2276.89 mm3 (13.4% more volume). Both acceptability thresholds were also met. The test for accuracy among smartphones 1, 2, and the laser scanner showed no statistically significant differences (P>.05) in all 4 parameters among the groups while also meeting both acceptability thresholds.
CONCLUSIONS: Smartphone cameras used to capture 48 overlapping gypsum cast ear images in a controlled environment generated 3D models parametrically similar to those produced by standard laser scanners.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: An auricular prosthesis, a complete denture, and anterior and posterior crowns were constructed using conventional methods and laser scanned to create computerized 3D meshes. The meshes were optimized independently by four computer-aided design software (Meshmixer, Meshlab, Blender, and SculptGL) to 100%, 90%, 75%, 50%, and 25% levels of original file size. Upon optimization, the following parameters were virtually evaluated and compared; mesh vertices, file size, mesh surface area (SA), mesh volume (V), interpoint discrepancies (geometric similarity based on virtual point overlapping), and spatial similarity (volumetric similarity based on shape overlapping). The influence of software and optimization on surface area and volume of each prosthesis was evaluated independently using multiple linear regression.
RESULTS: There were clear observable differences in vertices, file size, surface area, and volume. The choice of software significantly influenced the overall virtual parameters of auricular prosthesis [SA: F(4,15) = 12.93, R2 = 0.67, p < 0.001. V: F(4,15) = 9.33, R2 = 0.64, p < 0.001] and complete denture [SA: F(4,15) = 10.81, R2 = 0.67, p < 0.001. V: F(4,15) = 3.50, R2 = 0.34, p = 0.030] across optimization levels. Interpoint discrepancies were however limited to <0.1mm and volumetric similarity was >97%.
CONCLUSION: Open-source mesh optimization of smaller dental prostheses in this study produced minimal loss of geometric and volumetric details. SculptGL models were most influenced by the amount of optimization performed.
OBJECTIVES: The aim of this in vitro study was to evaluate the long-term effects of various staining solutions on the color stability of different temporary materials produced with the computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) technology.
MATERIAL AND METHODS: In the study, the following materials were used: VITA CAD-Temp® (group 1); Ceramill® Temp (group 2); and Telio® CAD (group 3). Forty disk-shaped specimens (10 mm in diameter, 2 mm in thickness) of each material (N = 120) were produced with a CAD/CAM system. Staining solutions - of tea (A), of coffee (B) and cola (C) - and distilled water (D, control) were used, and color was evaluated before and after storing the samples in the solutions. Measurements were taken with a spectrophotometer and the color parameters (L*, a*, b*, and ΔE) were calculated according to the Commission internationale de l'éclairage system (CIELab). The results were evaluated with the two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey's tests (α = 0.05).
RESULTS: Clinically perceivable (ΔE00 > 0.8) and statistically significant (p < 0.001) color differences were detected in all specimens. The highest ΔE00 value was found in the Ceramill Temp specimens. In addition, the highest ΔE00 values were noted for the specimens stored in cola and the coffee solution for all groups. The lowest ΔE00 value was observed for the groups stored in the tea solution.
CONCLUSIONS: Clinically perceivable color changes were observed in all the specimens kept in the solutions. Color changes were greater for cola and coffee as compared to tea.