Equivalence of linear facial measurements obtained from smartphone-based 3-dimensional facial scanners and professional extraoral scanners: A retrospective clinical study.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: Three-dimensional (3D) facial scanning has been increasingly integrated into digital dental workflows. Smartphone-based 3D facial scanning applications offer an accessible alternative to professional extraoral scanners; however, their metric validity for clinically relevant facial measurements remains unclear.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this retrospective clinical study was to determine whether linear facial measurements obtained from smartphone-based 3D facial scanning applications were statistically equivalent to those obtained from professional extraoral facial scanners.

MATERIAL AND

METHODS

Facial scans from 23 participants, obtained via repeated scanning with smartphone-based scanners (Qlone, Magiscan, 3D App Scanner, on iPhone 13 Pro; Apple Inc) and professional scanners (Artec Spider; Artec, EinStar; Shining 3D), were retrospectively analyzed. Four facial distances (trichion-nasion, nasion-pronasion, pronasion-pogonion, and right zygomatic-left zygomatic) were measured on all scans. The equivalence of these distances between smartphone-based scanners and each professional scanner was assessed using the two 1-sided t tests (TOST) procedure with a predefined equivalence margin of ±1 mm and Bonferroni-adjusted significance levels.

RESULTS

Across all distances, smartphone-based and professional scanners were statistically equivalent, with absolute mean differences below 0.12 mm (90% confidence interval: -0.03 to 0.26; P<.001 for all comparisons).

CONCLUSIONS

Smartphone-based 3D facial scanning applications provided linear facial measurements that were statistically equivalent to those obtained from professional extraoral scanners for selected distances. These applications may be considered valid for targeted clinical applications in dentistry and as complementary tools within digital workflows.