title: Digital model as an alternative to plaster model in assessment of space analysis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Digital three-dimensional models are widely used for orthodontic diagnosis. The purpose of this study was to appraise the accuracy of digital models obtained from computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) and cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) for tooth-width measurements and the Bolton analysis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Digital models (CAD/CAM, CBCT) and plaster model were made for each of 50 subjects. Tooth-width measurements on the digital models (CAD/CAM, CBCT) were compared with those on the corresponding plaster models. The anterior and overall Bolton ratios were calculated for each participant and for each method. The paired t-test was applied to determine the validity.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Tooth-width measurements, anterior, and overall Bolton ratio of digital models of CAD/CAM and CBCT did not differ significantly from those on the plaster models.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Hence, both CBCT and CAD/CAM are trustable and promising technique that can replace plaster models due to its overwhelming advantages.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthodontics, JKK Nattraja Dental College, Komarapalayam, Namakkal, Tamil Nadu, India.
authors.forename: A Anand
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Kumar
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthodontics, JKK Nattraja Dental College, Komarapalayam, Namakkal, Tamil Nadu, India.
authors.forename: Abraham
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Phillip
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthodontics, JKK Nattraja Dental College, Komarapalayam, Namakkal, Tamil Nadu, India.
authors.forename: Sathesh
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kumar
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthodontics, JKK Nattraja Dental College, Komarapalayam, Namakkal, Tamil Nadu, India.
authors.forename: Anuradha
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rawat
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthodontics, JKK Nattraja Dental College, Komarapalayam, Namakkal, Tamil Nadu, India.
authors.forename: Sakthi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Priya
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthodontics, JKK Nattraja Dental College, Komarapalayam, Namakkal, Tamil Nadu, India.
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Kumaran
keywords: Bolton's ratio; Computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing; cone-beam computed tomography; digital models