Accuracy of the Point-Based Image Registration Method in Integrating Radiographic and Optical Scan Images: A Pilot Study

ABSTRACT

Purpose@#The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of different implant computer software on the accuracy of image registration between radiographic and optical scan data. @*Materials and Methods@#Cone-beam computed tomography and optical scan data of a partially edentulous jaw were collected and transferred to three different computer softwares: Blue Sky Plan (Blue Sky Bio), Implant Studio (3M Shape), and Geomagic DesignX (3D systems). In each software, the two image sets were aligned using a point-based automatic image registration algorithm. Image matching error was evaluated by measuring the linear discrepancies between the two images at the anterior and posterior area in the direction of the x-, y-, and z-axes. Kruskal–Wallis test and a post hoc Mann–Whitney U-test with Bonferroni correction were used for statistical analyses. The significance level was set at 0.05.Result: Overall discrepancy values ranged from 0.08 to 0.30 μm. The image registration accuracy among the software was significantly different in the x- and z-axes (P=0.009 and <0.001, respectively), but not different in the y-axis (P=0.064). @*Conclusion@#The image registration accuracy performed by a point-based automatic image matching could be different depending on the computer software used.