The importance of holograms in dentistry

Holography offer new nondestructive possibilities for bridging the gap between in vitro and in vivo measurements in dentistry, and thus increase the possibility of achieving more accurate and sometimes more objective diagnosis and therapy. The use of stone and plaster study models is an integral part of any dental practice and is required for research. Storage of study models is problematic in terms of space and cost. Various methods have been employed in the threedimensional (3D) assessment and recording of dental study models. These include Holography and Moire Topography. Holography was introduced in 1948. However, it was the work of Leith & Upatnieks that revolutionized holography with the application of the laser beam. Holography allows direct measurement of 3D displacements of a few micrometres. The major problem with this technique is the poor quality of recording the details of the study models, particularly in the incisor region. An advantage of holography is that films may be stored with medical records and it is a further step towards archiving dental study models. However, it cannot totally replace the original models. The aim of this study is to present the possibility to record dental models in holograms and to develop direct measurement on these. © 2009 SPIE.