Accuracy (trueness and precision) of four tablet-based applications for three-dimensional facial scanning: An in-vitro study

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the overall and regional accuracy (trueness and precision) of digital three-dimensional (3D) facial scans obtained from four tablet-based applications, which were (Bellus) the Bellus Dental Pro & REG; (Bellus3D, Inc. Campbell, CA, USA), (Capture) the Capture & REG;: 3D Scan Anything (Standard Cyborg, Inc. San Francisco, CA, USA), (Heges) the Heges & REG; (by Marek Simonik, Ostrava, North Moravia, Czech Republic), and (Scandy) the Scandy Pro 3D Scanner & REG; (Scandy LLC, New Orleans, LA, USA). Methods: A mannequin's face was marked with 63 landmarks. Subsequently, it was scanned 5 times using each scan application on an iPad Pro & REG; (Apple Inc., Cupertino, CA, USA). The digital measurements were obtained with MeshLab & REG; (CNR-ISTI, Pisa, Tuscany, Italy) and compared to the manual measurements using a digital vernier calliper (Truper Herramientas S.A., Colonia Granada, Mexico City, Mexico). The absolute mean differ-ence and the standard deviation of the dimensional discrepancies were calculated. Moreover, the data were analysed by using one-way ANOVA, Levene's test, and Bonferroni & PRIME;s correction. Results: The absolute mean trueness values were Bellus 0.41 & PLUSMN; 0.35 mm, Capture 0.38 & PLUSMN; 0.37 mm, Heges 0.39 & PLUSMN; 0.38 mm, and Scandy 0.47 & PLUSMN; 0.44 mm. Moreover, precision values were Bellus 0.46 mm, Capture 0.46 mm, Heges 0.54 mm, and Scandy 0.64 mm. Comparing the regions, Capture and Scandy showed the highest absolute mean difference, which was 0.81 mm in the Frontal and Zygomaticofacial regions, respectively. Conclusions: The trueness and precision of all four tablet-based applications were clinically acceptable for diagnosis and treatment planning. Clinical significance: The future of the three-dimensional facial scan is auspicious, and it has the potential to be affordable, accurate, and of great value for clinicians in their daily practice.