Evaluation of the accuracy of 3D face image capture using budget mobile applications

Objectives: Facial anthropometry as a diagnostic and analytical tool has been increasingly popular in orthodontics. This project aims to find an alternative to the currently available high-cost imaging equipment that satisfies a strictly high standard of accuracy in producing a fully textured facial scan. Material and Methods: A set of 12 mannequin heads was anatomically landmarked and scanned using a verified industrial-level 3D scanner, followed by two budget mobile phone applications. The comparison includes 3D model surface analysis and assessment of the accuracy of image texture warping. Results: The results showed a comparable level of accuracy of one of the applications (EM3D) which showed a close 3D model topographical match with the model created by the industrial scanner (mean square root distance (0.175 mm ± 0.104). In addition to that, there was a low level of error average (0.243 ± 0.274 mm) associated with 3D image texture warping. Conclusion: The results of this project showed that mobile phone applications can be considered as alternative diagnostic and assessment tools in clinical and research environments.