Three-dimensional dental measurements: An alternative to plaster models.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to compare the accuracy of dental measurements taken with calipers on plaster dental casts and those from computed tomography scans of the dentition with a dental measurement program. METHODS: The sample consisted of plaster dental models of 34 orthodontic subjects. Dental arch measurements, including mesiodistal widths of teeth, arch widths, arch lengths, arch perimeters, and palatal depths were made with the calipers. The patients were also scanned with computed tomography, and measurements were made digitally with a 3-dimensional-based dental measurements program (3DD, Biodent, Cairo, Egypt). RESULTS: The results showed strong agreement in most measurements between the conventional method and the 3DD in the 3 planes of space. The mesiodistal measurements of the maxillary right and left second premolars, left central incisor, and right first molar, and the mandibular left and right central incisors, right canine, and left first premolar had fair agreement. CONCLUSIONS: Excellent agreement between the measurements with the conventional and 3DD methods in the 3 planes of space was found; 3DD can be an alternative to conventional stone dental models.