Scan body system to translate natural head position and virtual mounting into a 3-dimensional virtual patient: A dental technique

Abstract

Various techniques have been developed for a 3-dimensional (3D) virtual patient. However, those techniques do not enable the registration of the alignment of the facial and intraoral digital scans, the registration for the mounting on the virtual articulator, and the integration of the natural head position (NHP) together. In the present manuscript, a scan body system is described that assists with the translation of the horizon orientation within the NHP of the patient into a computer-aided design software program. Additionally, the scan body system facilitates the facial and intraoral alignment, as well as the mounting of the maxillary virtual cast on the virtual articulator. This scan body system facilitates the integration of the 3D virtual patient and reduces chair and laboratory time.