title: A comparison between a new 2-dimensional digital on-screen tooth measurement method with direct measurements.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare the accuracy and reproducibility of tooth measurements using newly developed software that gives 2-dimensional scanned images of dental setups with direct measurements using digital calipers.
  
  
  METHODS
  This experimental study was performed at the Dental Laboratories of the Faculty of Dentistry, University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan from September 2010 to December 2010. Ten sets of acrylic teeth (10 upper and 10 lower arches) were used. The mesiodistal width of each individual tooth was measured using a digital caliper (method I), which was considered the gold standard. The teeth were set to create 20 dental setups. The mesiodistal widths of teeth on the created setups were then measured by using a digital caliper (method II). The dental setups were then scanned using a flatbed computer scanner and tooth width measurements were performed using a special computer program (method III). Tooth measurements were divided into 6 groups, and the 3 methods were compared.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was a statistical significant difference between the 3 measurement methods in most of the measured tooth groups. Methods I and II exhibited significant differences for most of tooth groups (ranged from 0.02 to 0.22 mm) while no significant difference was found between methods I and III (ranged from 0.03 to 0.11 mm).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Tooth width measurement with on-screen 2-dimensional scanned images of dental casts is comparable to measurements obtained using direct digital caliper.
authors: Orthodontic and Pediatric Dentistry Department, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Jordan, PO Box 13850, Amman 11942, Jordan. h.sonbol@ju.edu.jo
authors: Hawazen N
authors: HN
authors: Sonbol
authors: Iyad K
authors: IK
authors: Al-Omari
authors: Ramzi B
authors: RB
authors: Duaibis
authors: Mohammed W
authors: MW
authors: Saleh
authors: Zaid B
authors: ZB
authors: Al-Bitar
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods; D009811:Odontometry / Q000379:methods; D011861:Radiography, Dental / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D014070:Tooth / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging