title: Comparative study of mandibular linear measurements obtained by cone beam computed tomography and digital calipers.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) is an innovative dental of imaging system characterized by rapid volumetric imaging with patient exposure to a single dose of radiation. The present study was carried out to compare the linear measurements obtained with CBCT and digital caliper in 20 mandibles from human cadavers.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 4800 linear measurements were measured between different mandibular anatomical points with CBCT and digital caliper. The real measurements were defined as those obtained with the digital caliper. Posteriorly, the mandibles were scanned to obtain the CBCT images, with software-based measurements of the distances.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The measurements obtained with the digital caliper were greater. The CBCT technique underestimated distances greater than 100 mm.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  CBCT allows to obtain linear mandibular anatomical measurements equivalent to those obtained with digital caliper. The differences existing between both methods were clinically acceptable. Key words:Computed tomography, cone beam CT, accuracy, reliability, digital caliper.
authors.affiliation: Master in Oral Surgery and Implantology. Valencia University Medical and Dental School. Valencia, Spain.
authors.forename: Pablo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Tarazona-Álvarez
authors.affiliation: Master in Oral Surgery and Implantology. Valencia University Medical and Dental School. Valencia, Spain.
authors.forename: Javier
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Romero-Millán
authors.affiliation: Master in Oral Surgery and Implantology. Valencia University Medical and Dental School. Valencia, Spain.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Peñarrocha-Oltra
authors.affiliation: Master in Oral Surgery and Implantology. Professor of the Master in Oral Surgery and Implantology. Valencia University Medical and Dental School. Valencia, Spain.
authors.forename: María Á
authors.initials: MÁ
authors.lastname: Fuster-Torres
authors.affiliation: Associate Professor of Orthodontics. Valencia University Medical and Dental School. Valencia, Spain.
authors.forename: Beatriz
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Tarazona
authors.affiliation: Chairman of Oral Surgery. Director of the Master in Oral Surgery and Implantology. Valencia University Medical and Dental School. Valencia, Spain.
authors.forename: Miguel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Peñarrocha-Diago