title: Efficacy of a Newly Designed Cephalometric Analysis Software for McNamara Analysis in Comparison with Dolphin Software.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Cephalometric norms of McNamara analysis have been studied in various populations due to their optimal efficiency. Dolphin cephalometric software greatly enhances the conduction of this analysis for orthodontic measurements. However, Dolphin is very expensive and cannot be afforded by many clinicians in developing countries. A suitable alternative software program in Farsi/English will greatly help Farsi speaking clinicians. The present study aimed to develop an affordable Iranian cephalometric analysis software program and compare it with Dolphin, the standard software available on the market for cephalometric analysis.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this diagnostic, descriptive study, 150 lateral cephalograms of normal occlusion individuals were selected in Mashhad and Qazvin, two major cities of Iran mainly populated with Fars ethnicity, the main Iranian ethnic group. After tracing the cephalograms, the McNamara analysis standards were measured both with Dolphin and the new software. The cephalometric software was designed using Microsoft Visual C++ program in Windows XP. Measurements made with the new software were compared with those of Dolphin software on both series of cephalograms. The validity and reliability were tested using intra-class correlation coefficient.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Calculations showed a very high correlation between the results of the Iranian cephalometric analysis software and Dolphin. This confirms the validity and optimal efficacy of the newly designed software (ICC 0.570-1.0).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  According to our results, the newly designed software has acceptable validity and reliability and can be used for orthodontic diagnosis, treatment planning and assessment of treatment outcome.
authors.affiliation: Associate Professor of Dentofacial Deformities Research Center, Research Institute of Dental Sciences, and Orthodontic Department of School of Dentistry, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Mahtab
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nouri
authors.affiliation: Resident of Maxillofacial Radiology, Radiology Department, School of Dentistry, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Shadi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hamidiaval
authors.affiliation: Ph.D in Biostatistics, Associate Professor, Department of Basic Sciences, School of Rehabilitation, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Alireza
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Akbarzadeh Baghban
authors.affiliation: Professor, Department of Orthodontics, Mashhad Dental school, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
authors.forename: Mohammad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Basafa
authors.affiliation: Software Engineer.
authors.forename: Mohammad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fahim
keywords: Analysis; Cephalometry; Orthodontics; Software