Inter-Operator Reliability of Dental Morphometric Measurements

Abstract

Background: Measurement-based studies are prone to measurement errors, which occur at the same operator or between different operators during repeated measurements of the same sample. Aim of the study: To assess the inter-operator reliability of morphometric measurements using a bidimensional image analysis method. Material and methods: Eight study models have been selected, images of teeth and models were taken from vestibular and occlusal view. The following parameters were measured individually by three, previously trained operators: mesio-distal, occluso-gingival, and vestibulo-oral dimensions, vestibular and occlusal area, depth of palatal arch, arch breadth, arch circumference, and arch length. Intraclass correlation coefficients were calculated for each measurement. Results: The reliability of the measurements showed high degrees, all values being higher than 0.8. Conclusions: Dental morphometric measurements done by 2D image analysis can be performed by multiple operators with an excellent reliability.