Reconstruction and Parametric Recognition of Endodontic Files from CT Scans for Design Modification and FEM Analysis

Endodontic rotary file geometries are often obtained using computed tomography (CT) scans, which produce 3D models comprising point clouds and triangulated surfaces. Despite being widely used, this approach has significant limitations; scanned geometries may deviate from the theoretical design due to physical deformation during manipulation, inaccuracies due to the scanner resolution, and the non-parametric nature of the resulting mesh, preventing design modification or parameter extraction. This study proposes a methodology to overcome these limitations by recognizing and reconstructing the scanned geometry. This process involves correcting deformation caused by flexion, applying filtering techniques to minimize scan-induced noise, and identifying key geometric parameters. This enables the generation of a manipulable and accurate CAD model which not only preserves the original design intention but also allows for parametric modifications and advanced finite element analysis. The proposed method bridges the gap between real geometry acquisition and design-based simulation, providing a powerful tool for endodontic instrument evaluation and optimization.