Accuracy of the craniofacial position of the maxilla captured by different computerized optical methods: a…

ReviewQuintessence international (Berlin, Germany : 1985)· Jul 2026

Accuracy of the craniofacial position of the maxilla captured by different computerized optical methods: a systematic review.

Kimberly Leotta, Ralf J Kohal, Sebastian B M Patzelt

Craniofacial & CleftReviewQ3IF 1.4

Structured light scanners were the most accurate optical method for maxillary registration.

Accuracy of the craniofacial position of the maxilla captured by different computerized optical methods: a systematic review.

Kimberly Leotta … Sebastian B M Patzelt

Quintessence international (Berlin, Germany · Jul 2026 · Q3 in General Medicine

Purpose

The aim of this literature review was to systematically evaluate and analyze the current state of knowledge on methods and their accuracy in computerized optical craniofacial registration of the maxillary position.

Methods

Following Cochrane guidelines and the PRISMA scheme, relevant publications were identified in February 2023 via PubMed (Medline), Cochrane Library and Web of Science.

n = 8 studies

0.19

Results

0.19

to 0.46 mm

structured light gave the most consistent, closest to true fit

n = 8 studies

More results

From 2,837 publications, 8 studies were eligible for final analyses.

Outcomes varied across workflows utilizing landmarks, CAD/CAM facebows or transfer splints validated against reference standards such as CT, CBCT or 3D electromagnetic digitizer.

More results

Stereophotogrammetry demonstrated trueness errors between 0.07 and 1.46 mm, showing high axial stability but a topographic precision decrease toward posterior landmarks.

Mobile devices exhibited the lowest trueness (0.50 to 1.64 mm) and highly variable precision.

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Conclusion · 1 of 3

Computerized optical methods offer high potential for accurate craniofacial registration of the maxillary position compared to conventional facebows.

Conclusion · 2 of 3

Structured light scanners demonstrated the highest accuracy, followed by stereophotogrammetry systems, while mobile devices were the least accurate.

Conclusion · 3 of 3

Further studies require larger populations, standardized protocols, clearly defined outcome and detailed documentation.

Accuracy of the craniofacial position of the maxilla captured by different computerized optical methods: a systematic review.

Accuracy of the craniofacial position of the maxilla captured by different computerized optical methods: a systematic review.

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