Computerised Cephalometry Reliability In Daily Orthodontic Practice

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate if new digital techniques can improve the reliability of results obtained performing a cephalometric analisys. Methods: A group DS of twenty dental students, a group SS of seven students of the postgraduate orthodontic's school and a group EO of three expert orthodontist were required to perform a cephalometry of a sample of twenty lateral cephalograms. After one month, the same groups were required to realize a computerized cephalometry on the same sample. Data obtained by the cephalometrics points located on the twenty radiographs were collected by a third operator, in order to made a double blind study. Results: In the group EO measurements differences was on average of 0.7±0.2° for angular variables and of 0.9 ±0.3 mm for linear variables; in SS was on average of 1.0±0.4° for angular and of 1.5 ±0.5 mm for linear variables; in DS was on average of 1.5±0.5° for angular and of 1.8 ±0.7 mm for linear variables. With the traditional technique the difference between group EO and SS was on average of of 0.9° for angular and of 0.8 mm for linear variables; between EO and DS was 1.9° and 1.7 mm; between SS and DS was 1.4° and 1.3 mm. With the digital technique the difference between EO and SS was on average of of 0.5° for angular and of 0.5 mm for linear variables; between EO and DS was 1.0° and 0.9 mm; between SS and DS was 0.6° and 0.7 mm. Conclusion: The results we have obtained indicate that an expert orthodontist can obtain the same results with digital or traditional cephalometry, but the differences grow if operators are less expert. Relevant is also the less evident difference, because of expertise, with digital in comparison to manual cephalometry.