Measurement of change in surface contour by computer graphics.

Abstract

Change in anatomic contour due to wear is an important criterion in the evaluation of new restorative materials. This report describes a method of capturing and displaying anatomic surface contours using a combination of computer graphics and servohydraulics. The method can be used to measure the volume change following a change in surface contour. The accuracy of the method was assessed using a sample containing two small depressions of volumes 0.006 mm 3 and 0.0281 mm 3 . The recorded accuracies of the method were 12% and 2.5% respectively. A useful feature of the method is that the graphics enable the operator to visualize the wear in relation to the surface anatomy in addition to quantitatively measuring it.