3D printing of brachycephalic and dolichocephalic canine skulls and mandibles: a complement to traditional osteotechnique

Abstract

This paper aimed at reporting the creation of brachycephalic and dolichocephalic 3D synthetic anatomical models of canine heads (3D SAMCH) as a complementary technique to traditional osteotechnique using Computed Tomography (CT) images in volumetric reconstruction. The study was carried out in three stages, namely: a) preparation of canine heads in natura; b) creation of digital files of canine heads using CT; and c) 3D printing of synthetic anatomical models of canine heads. As a result, two 3D SAMCH were produced due to rarer availability in Animal Anatomy laboratories collections; the important representation of the cribriform plate was possible, but a remarkable defect presented was the teeth. It concluded that the digital files creation through CT scanner allows a fine representation of canine heads if considered pros and cons regarding the use of synthetic models instead of natural bones.