Three-dimensional visualization of the face and skull using computerized tomography and laser scanning techniques

This paper describes the use of a specially designed no contact laser scanning system and Computerized Tomography (CT) for studying changes in the facial form and its relationship to changes in the supporting bone structure after facial surgery. It is shown that realistic images may be produced from these data sets using computer graphics techniques to give the images a solid 3-D appearance. The images may then be used for planning surgery and to provide the patient with a prediction of facial appearance after surgery. A number of such images are presented.