Three-dimensional visualization system of oro-facial morphology and functions for tele-diagnosis.

近年来，一些学者试图研究牙骨质形态与口腔颌面功能之间的关系。然而，传统技术不允许在相同的坐标上同时对它们进行三维评估。介绍了一种利用重建的三维CT头部模型实现颌骨动作三维显示系统的新方法。利用非接触式三维激光扫描仪测量的牙齿表面三维图像和六自由度颌动分析仪记录的颌骨运动数据通过陶瓷球集成到3D-CT头部模型中，但该方法存在CT成本高和辐射暴露等缺点。为了更方便地创建个人3D头部模型，我们介绍了另一种新的方法，该方法适合于从头影测量图像、牙齿模型和面部照片中提取解剖测量点的人的标准头部模型。该头部模型的下颌运动与3D-CT头部模型的模拟方式相同，通过计算机图形学的方式在两幅牙齿骨骼三维图像上显示下颌运动的多个所需点，从而可以同时清晰地掌握下颌运动模式、骨骼形态和咬合之间的关系。这将为患者提供易于理解的信息，并建立一种通过互联网与其他卫生保健提供者沟通的诊断或治疗方法，即使他们彼此相距很远。面部表情和错(牙合)之间的关系也被分析和展示，并在正畸杂志上报道了这一发现。

Recently, several attempts to investigate the relationship between dento-skeletal morphology and stomatognathic functions. However, traditional techniques do not allow for simultaneous three-dimensional evaluation of them on the same coordinates. We introduced a new method for three dimensional display system of jaw action by using the reconstructed three dimensional computed tomographic 3D-CT head models. The 3D dental surface image measured by a non-contact 3D laser scanner and jaw movement data recorded by a six-degree of jaw action analyzer were integrated into the 3D-CT head model by the ceramic balls.On the other hand, high cost of CT and the radiation exposure are drawbacks to this method. Attempt to create individual 3D head models more conveniently, we introduced another new method that fits the standard head model for a person with anatomic measurement points extracted from cephalometric images, dental casts and facial photographs. Jaw movement of this head model was displayed three dimensionally as the same manner of simulation using the 3D-CT head model.The mandibular movement of multiple required points on both dento-skeletal 3D images was displayed by the computer graphics, which make it possible clearly to grasp a relationship between the motion pattern of the mandibular movement, skeletal morphology and occlusion simultaneously. This will provide easy-to-understand information for patients and establish a diagnostic or therapeutic method for communication with other health care providers through inter-net, even if they are far from each other. The relationship between facial expression and malocclusions was also analyzed and displayed, and the findings were reported on the orthodontic journals.