Key considerations for efficient 3-dimensional data integration with a face scanner in the digital era: Product review of the hybrid face scanner

Abstract

To achieve patient treatment goals for improved occlusion and facial appearance in 3 dimensions, precise analysis of the patient's soft tissue and occlusion in 3 dimensions is imperative. In this digital era of dentistry, the invention of electronic devices has allowed for the acquisition of 3-dimensional (3D) information about a patient's face and dentition. However, it has been difficult for clinicians to obtain accurate 3D soft-tissue images because of the technique sensitivity and the challenges in the superimposition of the 3D skeletal, dental, and soft-tissue information. This article will first introduce the distinguished roles, pros, and cons of different face scanners in dentistry and then describe the clinical situations in which each type of scanner is used most effectively. The RAYFace200 (Ray Co, Ltd, Seongnam, South Korea), a hybrid of two different scanner mechanisms, will be introduced as a collage of the strengths of the existing 3D scanners. Integrating stereophotogrammetry and structured light methods for the first time, this face scanner is considered an important piece of the puzzle in soft-tissue diagnosis and the fabrication of diagnostic tools and treatment devices with great accuracy and convenience for clinicians.