Methodological accuracy of digital and manual model analysis in orthodontics - A retrospective clinical study.
BACKGROUND
Computer-based digital orthodontic models are available for clinicians, supplemented by dedicated software for performing required diagnostic measurements. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of measurements made on three-dimensional digital models obtained with a CBCT-scanner (DigiModel™, OrthoProof(®), Nieuwegin, The Netherlands).


METHODS
66 orthodontic dental casts of primary and early mixed dentitions were selected. Three-dimensional images were obtained on this CBCT-scanner and analyzed by means of the DigiModel™ software. Measurements were made with a digital caliper directly on the conventional casts and also digitally on the virtual models. 6 anatomic dental points were identified, and a total of 11 measurements were taken from each cast, including midline deviation, overjet, overbite and arch widths. Conformity of digital and manual measurements as well as intra-, inter- and repeated-measurement-reliability were evaluated by Lin's Concordance Correlation Coefficient, ICC and a Bland-Altman-analysis.


RESULTS
The agreement and conformity of digital and manual measurements was substantial for all parameters evaluated. Intra-, inter- and repeated-measurement-reliability was excellent.


CONCLUSIONS
Measurements on digital models obtained by a CBCT scan of conventional casts (DigiModel™, OrthoProof(®)) are suited for reliable diagnostic measurements, which compare well to those obtained from plaster casts, the current gold standard.
Department of Orthodontics, University Medical Centre of Muenster, Waldeyerstraße 30, 48149 Münster, Germany. Electronic address: lippold@uni-muenster.de.
Carsten
C
Lippold
Department of Orthodontics, University Medical Centre of Regensburg, Franz-Josef-Strauß-Allee 11, 93053 Regensburg, Germany.
Christian
C
Kirschneck
Department of Orthodontics, Department of Dentistry, Faculty of Health, University Witten/Herdecke, Alfred-Herrhausen-Straße 44, 58455 Witten, Germany.
Kristina
K
Schreiber
Department of Orthodontics, Department of Dentistry, Faculty of Health, University Witten/Herdecke, Alfred-Herrhausen-Straße 44, 58455 Witten, Germany.
Saleh
S
Abukiress
Department of Orthodontics, Department of Dentistry, Faculty of Health, University Witten/Herdecke, Alfred-Herrhausen-Straße 44, 58455 Witten, Germany.
Amir
A
Tahvildari
Department of Orthodontics, University Medical Centre of Muenster, Waldeyerstraße 30, 48149 Münster, Germany.
Tatjana
T
Moiseenko
Department of Orthodontics, Department of Dentistry, Faculty of Health, University Witten/Herdecke, Alfred-Herrhausen-Straße 44, 58455 Witten, Germany.
Gholamreza
G
Danesh
D003735:Dental Casting Technique; D003936:Diagnosis, Computer-Assisted / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008310:Malocclusion / Q000473:pathology*; D008953:Models, Anatomic; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012984:Software
Cone-beam computed tomography; Digital model analysis; Method reliability; Orthodontics; Retrospective studies