Determination of the Effect of Human Posture on the Deformation of Facial Contours by using a 3D Data Acquisition System

Abstract

For successful facial prosthetic treatment, it is necessary to obtain a facial impression though this is stressful for the patient and causes inaccuracy owing to its weight and body posture. Recently, 3D data acquisition systems have been developed that can acquire the 3D data without any contact with the object. In this study, the effect of body posture on the displacement of facial surface was evaluated using a 3D scanner.
Five subjects participated in this study. Digital facial data were obtained by 3D scanner （RexcanⅢ, Solutionix） in five positions: 0 degree （upright position）, 30 degrees, 45 degrees, 60 degrees and 90 degrees （horizontal position）. These data were then evaluated using 3D digital analysis software （Geomagic Qualify, Geomagic）. The amounts of discrepancy between the upright position and the four reclining positions were calculated after data superimposition.
As a result, the amounts of discrepancy increased between the upright position and each reclining position as the inclination increased. Especially, a larger discrepancy was observed on the cheek under the zygomatic bone.