Objectives: The purpose of the present experimental study is the comparative investigation of mesio-distal tooth-measurement of non-erupted porcine tooth germs by means of MSCT-images and direct clinical approach.
Methods: Investigation of the largest diameter of 22 impacted porcine tooth germs was carried out by localizing the mesial and distal reference points either via MSCT or direct measurement with a calliper after osteotomy. Examination was performed twice by three observers at a distance of 14 days. Statistical analysis showed validity and also intra-and inter-observer reliability.
Results: Clinical approach using a sliding calliper showed a standard deviation of 0.10 mm when compared to 0.11 mm using 3d-radiography. Precision of MSCT-measurement and clinical approach showed no significant difference (0.11 mm vs. 0.10 mm). Bland-Altman-Plot revealed that different measurement results were not dependent on the values of the measurements themselves. Determination of the mesio-distal-diameter using dental calliper showed slightly smaller values than MSCT measurement. The median deviation was 0.10 mm.
Conclusions: Computer tomography makes the prospective mesio-distal-width-measurement of impacted tooth germs possible. The determined mesio-distal diameter is largely equivalent to the clinical approach.