title: Dental arch relationships on three-dimensional digital study models and conventional plaster study models for patients with unilateral cleft lip and palate.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine if three-dimensional (3D) digital study models could replace plaster study models for the evaluation of dental arch relationships for patients with unilateral cleft lip and palate.
  
  
  METHODS
  Observational study involving plaster study models from a records archive.
  
  
  METHODS
  U.K. National Health Service.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty sets of study models of 5-year-old patients with unilateral cleft lip and palate were identified and scanned to produce 3D digital study models by ESM Digital Solutions Ltd. (Swords, Co. Dublin, Ireland) using an R250 Orthodontic Study Model Scanner (3Shape A/S, Copenhagen, Denmark).
  
  
  METHODS
  None.
  
  
  METHODS
  The plaster and 3D digital study models were scored using the 5-year-olds' and modified Huddart Bodenham indices and analyzed using the Friedman test (p < .05) and two-way ANOVA, respectively. Intra-observer and interobserver reproducibility were calculated from the 5-year-olds' index data using the weighted kappa statistic for both the plaster and 3D digital models.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Intra-observer and interobserver reproducibility were good (0.62 to 0.83 and 0.64 to 0.78, respectively). There were no statistically significant differences between the scores for the 3D digital study models when compared to the plaster study models for either the 5-year-olds' index (p  =  .12) or for the modified Huddart Bodenham index (p  =  .506).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Three-dimensional digital models are a valid alternative to traditional plaster study models for the evaluation of dental arch relationships in patients with unilateral cleft lip and palate.
authors.affiliation: University of Dundee Dental Hospital & School, Dundee, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Asquith
authors.forename: G T
authors.initials: GT
authors.lastname: McIntyre
mesh_terms: D002675:Child, Preschool; D002971:Cleft Lip / Q000473:pathology*; D002972:Cleft Palate / Q000473:pathology*; D003724:Dental Arch / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D003765:Models, Dental; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D006113:United Kingdom