Use of three-dimensional (3D) imaging data from cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) together with the mathematical concept of axes of inertia permits characterization of three-dimensional (3D) geometry for discrete anatomical objects including teeth. A study was conducted to investigate this concept. With Institutional Review Board approval, the “axes of inertia” concept was applied to image data sets from a cohort of 205 subjects. Following analysis, this cohort was found to fit into 18 categories. Starting with a calculation based on tooth axes of inertia and dental arches morphology, 3D images were related to the 18 categories. Teeth and the dental arches were integrated into a 3D architectural model of the visceral skull using Cartesian coordinates of 14 anatomic landmarks. Axes of inertia are a mathematical tool for 3D modeling of discrete anatomical objects such as teeth, using CBCT image data bases.
aFRE 2960 CNRS Toulouse, UPS University III, Toulouse, France
bMathematics Institute of Toulouse, UPS University III, Toulouse, France
cCarestream Health, Dental Systems, Marne-la-Vallée, France
dHonorary Professor, Dental School Toulouse, UPS University III, Toulouse, France
Address correspondence to: Dr. J. Treil, Service de Radiologie Clinique Pasteur, 45 Av. de Lombez, Toulouse 31300, France
ABSTRACT