Korean J Orthod.  2012 Oct;42(5):235-241. 10.4041/kjod.2012.42.5.235.

Validity of palatal superimposition of 3-dimensional digital models in cases treated with rapid maxillary expansion and maxillary protraction headgear

• Choi JI
• Cha BK
• Jost-Brinkmann PG
• Choi DS
• Jang IS

• KMID: 1435398
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4041/kjod.2012.42.5.235

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the validity of the 3-dimensional (3D) superimposition method of digital models in patients who received treatment with rapid maxillary expansion (RME) and maxillary protraction headgear.
METHODS
The material consisted of pre- and post-treatment maxillary dental casts and lateral cephalograms of 30 patients, who underwent RME and maxillary protraction headgear treatment. Digital models were superimposed using the palate as a reference area. The movement of the maxillary central incisor and the first molar was measured on superimposed cephalograms and 3D digital models. To determine whether any difference existed between the 2 measuring techniques, intra-class correlation (ICC) and Bland-Altman plots were analyzed.
RESULTS
The measurements on the 3D digital models and cephalograms showed a very high correlation in the antero-posterior direction (ICC, 0.956 for central incisor and 0.941 for first molar) and a moderate correlation in the vertical direction (ICC, 0.748 for central incisor and 0.717 for first molar).
CONCLUSIONS
The 3D model superimposition method using the palate as a reference area is as clinically reliable for assessing antero-posterior tooth movement as cephalometric superimposition, even in cases treated with orthopedic appliances, such as RME and maxillary protraction headgear.

Keyword

Digital model; 3D cephalometry; Face mask; Tooth movement

MeSH Terms

Humans
Incisor
Molar
Orthopedics
Palatal Expansion Technique
Palate
Tooth Movement