3D Facial Scanning Technologies - Comparative Analysis of Three Modern Three-Dimensional Acquisition Systems

Abstract

1.Background: Three-dimensional (3D) facial scanning technologies have advanced rapidly, offering new possibilities for clinical, engineering, and educational applications. However, performance varies substantially across mobile, portable, and professional systems, and a direct comparison using standardized acquisition protocols is essential for determining their suitability in medical practice. 2.Methods: Eight healthy adults (20–25 years old) were scanned using three technologies representing different levels of complexity: the iPhone LiDAR sensor with Qlone, the CR-Scan Ferret structured-light scanner, and the professional ProMax 3D Mid ProFace system. All participants were scanned under controlled conditions, maintaining identical positioning and acquisition procedures. Raw data were processed using each system’s dedicated software and analyzed comparatively with respect to geometric accuracy, texture quality, model completeness, artifacts, processing workflow, and cost–performance ratio. 3.Results: The iPhone LiDAR system produced the least accurate models, characterized by surface discontinuities, loss of fine anatomical detail, and low-resolution texture. The CR-Scan Ferret achieved higher geometric fidelity and more coherent color mapping but remained sensitive to lighting conditions and operator stability. The ProMax 3D Mid ProFace system generated the most complete, consistent, and photorealistic models, with minimal artifacts and fully automated processing. These differences reflect the technological capabilities of each device category. 4.Conclusions: The findings confirm that no single scanning technology is universally optimal. Mobile systems are suitable for rapid, non-clinical, or educational applications; portable structured-light scanners offer a balance between accuracy and accessibility; and professional systems remain the gold standard for advanced clinical environments requiring high precision.