The Application Of Virtual Reality Technology In Oral And Maxillofacial Anatomy

Objective: To develop a3D digital model of dentition, skull and dentition withdigital camera and THE VR WORX2.6system software, based on virtual realitytechnology and establish a multimedia database of oral and maxillofacial anatomy tofacilitate network sharing and information dissemination; to evaluate the effectmultimedia database with which was applied to teaching of Oral Anatomy.Methods:1.Extracted teeth with intact crown and root, dentition and skull were chosen, thespecimen was placed in the center of turntable, which could rotate360degrees in thehorizontal direction. The camera horizontally focused on the tooth’s center, and took aphoto at intervals of ten degrees. In the next phase, the camera was slanted downwardsfor ten degrees, while maintaining the distance between focus and the target tooth.Another round of photos was taken at this level. Each target tooth underwent ten roundsof photography vertically from90to0degree(s). All of360images obtained, weretreated using Photoshop CS5.2.The image data were input into The VR Worx system, followed by parametersand hotspots setting and the compression. Finally, the3D digital model of specimenwere reconstructed and output with Quicktime VR format.3.The3D model of tooth and the skull were applied to the pedagogy–The Theoryand Practice of Oral Anatomy. Then, the questionnaire and interview were conductedwith the studentsResults:1.3D digital model of tooth and skull were constructed with photography and theVR Worx2.6, the models of the reconstruction can faithfully reproduce the anatomical characteristics of teeth and skulls, and facilitate researchers to rotate and scale forobservation. Also, it is easy for hotspot-marking.2.The application of3D digital model suggests that there is significant difference(P<0.05) between the target group and the group. Also, the excellent rate and the passrate of the target group enormously exceeded those of the other.3.The results of questionnaire and interview suggested the positive attitudetowards applying virtual reality to teaching the oral and maxillofacial anatomy. It wasalso acknowledged that the3D digital model could enhance the teaching effectiveness.Conclusion:1.On the platform of digital photography and The VR worx, it is feasible toestablish the3D digital model of tooth and skull. This approach is the entityreconstruction; the reconstructed model appears clear, vivid, and easy to savepromotion.2.The obtained QuickTime VR object film applied to the theoretical andexperimental teaching, indicating that the model is helpful to improve knowledgeunderstanding of student, and acquire satisfactory teaching effect and efficiency.