title: Use of Reference Ear Plug to improve accuracy of lateral cephalograms generated from cone-beam computed tomography scans.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the use of Reference Ear Plug (REP) during cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) scan for the generation of lateral cephalograms from CBCT scan data.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two CBCT scans were obtained from 33 adults. One CBCT scan was acquired using conventional methods, and the other scan was acquired with the use of REP. Virtual lateral cephalograms created from each CBCT image were traced and compared with tracings of the real cephalograms obtained from the same subject.
  
  
  RESULTS
  CBCT scan with REP resulted in a smaller discrepancy between real and virtual cephalograms. In comparing the real and virtual cephalograms, no measurements significantly differed from real cephalogram values in case of CBCT scan with REP, whereas many measurements significantly differed in the case of CBCT scan without REP.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Measurements from CBCT-generated cephalograms are more similar to those from real cephalograms when REP are used during CBCT scan. Thus, the use of REP is suggested during CBCT scan to generate accurate virtual cephalograms from CBCT scan data.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthodontics, 2nd Stage of Brain Korea 21, School of Dentistry, Dental Science Research Institute, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, Korea.
authors.forename: Hyeon-Shik
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Hwang
authors.forename: Kyung-Min
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Gi-Soo
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Uhm
authors.forename: Jin-Hyoung
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Cho
authors.forename: James A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: McNamara
keywords: Accuracy; Cone-beam computed tomography; Reference Ear Plug; Virtual cephalogram