title: Quantitation of transverse maxillary dimensions using computed tomography: a methodological and reproducibility study.
abstract: The present investigation was a methodological study of a new method of quantification of a series of factors in the transverse dimension of the maxilla including the nose, maxillary bones and dental arches, based on computer tomographic (CT) scanning. The aim was to investigate a series of parameters thought to be relevant in the differential diagnosis of discrepancies in the morphology of this area and probably affected by orthodontic appliances. Based on a standardized CT scanning registration of 10 subjects, a series of points on the scans were identified and then measured in a special cephalometric computer system (linear and angular values). The quantitation was repeated by each observer and inter- and intra-observer differences were calculated. The results demonstrated that virtually all the parameters showed a high degree of reproducibility at both levels and confirmed the statistical suitability of the method described. The method will be used in a series of ongoing studies regarding the morphology and treatment of discrepancies of the midface and therefore supplement the relatively sparse information based on quantitative reports concerning this important anatomical area.
authors.affiliation: Universitätsklinik für Zahn, Mund und Kieferheilkunde, Vienna, Austria.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Podesser
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Williams
authors.forename: H P
authors.initials: HP
authors.lastname: Bantleon
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Imhof
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002508:Cephalometry / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003724:Dental Arch / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008437:Maxilla / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D015588:Observer Variation; D011856:Radiographic Image Enhancement; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012984:Software; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed