Accuracy of cone beam-derived lateral cephalometric radiographs

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Orthodontic Department, Faculty of Oral and Dental Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt

2 Orthodontic Department, Faculty of Oral and Dental Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo

Abstract

The aim of the present study is to compare the accuracy of linear measurements derived from conventional lateral cephalograms (CLC) versus cephalometric images derived from cone beam CT (CBLC). The sample consisted of 10 edentulous dry skulls. Fifteen anatomical landmarks; of which 4 bilateral; were marked on each skull using metallic markers. The distances between these landmarks provided 8 linear measurements commonly used in lateral cephalometric analyses. The skulls were imaged using two techniques, lateral cephalometric radiograph and cone beam computed tomography. Using the OsiriX®* computer program, 8 linear measurements were measured on the CLC and the CBLC. These measurements were compared with one’s made directly on the skull. The results of this study showed that cephalometric measurement obtained from CBLC images are more representative to the anatomical truth.

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