Three-dimensional simulation of human teeth and its application in dental education and research

Background: A comprehensive database, comprising geometry and properties of human teeth, is needed for dentistry education and dental research. The aim of this study was to create a three-dimensional model of human teeth to improve the dental E-learning and dental research. Methods: In this study, a cross-section picture of the three-dimensional model of the teeth was used. CT-Scan images were used in the first method. The space between the cross- sectional images was about 200 to 500 micrometers. Hard tissue margin was detected in each image by Matlab (R2009b), as image processing software. The images were transferred to Solidworks 2015 software. Tooth border curve was fitted on B-spline curves, using the least square-curve fitting algorithm. After transferring all curves for each tooth to Solidworks, the surface was created based on the surface fitting technique. This surface was meshed in Meshlab-v132 software, and the optimization of the surface was done based on the remeshing technique. The mechanical properties of the teeth were applied to the dental model. Results: This study presented a methodology for communication between CT-Scan images and the finite element and training software through which modeling and simulation of the teeth were performed. In this study, cross-sectional images were used for modeling. According to the findings, the cost and time were reduced compared to other studies. Conclusion: The three-dimensional model method presented in this study facilitated the learning of the dental students and dentists. Based on the three-dimensional model proposed in this study, designing and manufacturing the implants and dental prosthesis are possible.

[1]  Hirohito Yamada,et al.  Construction of database for three-dimensional human tooth models and its ability for education and research--Carious tooth models -. , 2010, Dental materials journal.

[2]  I. Ichim,et al.  Mechanical evaluation of cervical glass-ionomer restorations: 3D finite element study. , 2007, Journal of dentistry.

[3]  A. Kato,et al.  Construction of three-dimensional tooth model by micro-computed tomography and application for data sharing , 2009, Clinical Oral Investigations.

[4]  Andreas Pommert,et al.  Virtual dental surgery as a new educational tool in dental school. , 2010, Journal of cranio-maxillo-facial surgery : official publication of the European Association for Cranio-Maxillo-Facial Surgery.

[5]  Hideki Yoshikawa,et al.  The triquetrum-hamate joint: an anatomic and in vivo three-dimensional kinematic study. , 2003, The Journal of hand surgery.

[6]  L. F. Foster Page,et al.  An evaluation of dental operative simulation materials. , 2012, Dental materials journal.

[7]  J. Canellas,et al.  The use of anatomical models for learning anesthesia techniques in oral surgery. , 2013, Indian journal of dental research : official publication of Indian Society for Dental Research.

[8]  N. Noda,et al.  Three-dimensional finite element modeling from CT images of tooth and its validation. , 2009, Dental materials journal.

[9]  Paulo Vinícius Soares,et al.  Rapid prototyping and 3D-virtual models for operative dentistry education in Brazil. , 2013, Journal of dental education.

[10]  Ioannis Pitas,et al.  A Virtual Anatomical 3D Head, Oral Cavity and Teeth Model for Dental and Medical Applications , 2011, ICMMI.

[11]  Yuan-Shin Lee,et al.  Cutting on triangle mesh: local model-based haptic display for dental preparation surgery simulation , 2005, IEEE Transactions on Visualization and Computer Graphics.

[12]  I. Ichim,et al.  Restoration of non-carious cervical lesions Part I. Modelling of restorative fracture. , 2007, Dental materials : official publication of the Academy of Dental Materials.

[13]  Pascal Magne,et al.  Efficient 3D finite element analysis of dental restorative procedures using micro-CT data. , 2007, Dental materials : official publication of the Academy of Dental Materials.

[14]  Reinhard Klein,et al.  3D Reconstruction of dental specimens from 2D histological images and μCT-Scans , 2005 .

[15]  I. Ichim,et al.  Restoration of non-carious cervical lesions Part II. Restorative material selection to minimise fracture. , 2007, Dental materials : official publication of the Academy of Dental Materials.

[16]  P. I. Seraidarian,et al.  Tooth displacement due to occlusal contacts: a three-dimensional finite element study. , 2006, Journal of oral rehabilitation.

[17]  Franz Günter Sander,et al.  Quasi-automatic 3D finite element model generation for individual single-rooted teeth and periodontal ligament , 2004, Comput. Methods Programs Biomed..

[18]  N Verdonschot,et al.  Generation of 3-D finite element models of restored human teeth using micro-CT techniques. , 2001, The International journal of prosthodontics.

[19]  Wei Li,et al.  Towards automated 3D finite element modeling of direct fiber reinforced composite dental bridge. , 2005, Journal of biomedical materials research. Part B, Applied biomaterials.

[20]  Agneta Oden,et al.  A three-dimensional evaluation of a laser scanner and a touch-probe scanner. , 2006, The Journal of prosthetic dentistry.

[21]  Cornelia Kober,et al.  Influence of different modeling strategies for the periodontal ligament on finite element simulation results. , 2011, American journal of orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics : official publication of the American Association of Orthodontists, its constituent societies, and the American Board of Orthodontics.

[22]  I R de Boer,et al.  The creation of virtual teeth with and without tooth pathology for a virtual learning environment in dental education. , 2013, European journal of dental education : official journal of the Association for Dental Education in Europe.

[23]  R. Jacobs,et al.  A comparative evaluation of Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) and Multi-Slice CT (MSCT). Part II: On 3D model accuracy. , 2010, European journal of radiology.

[24]  M. Dean,et al.  How Neanderthal molar teeth grew , 2006, Nature.