Lateral Cephalometric Measurements of Class I Malocclusion Patients with Uncertainty

Abstract

The aim of this study was to obtain the traceability of the software used to analyze lateral cephalometry and to calculate the uncertainty of the measurements. Furthermore, this study aimed to provide a basis for obtaining standard references for measurement values for orthodontic treatment in children. Cephalometric data were collected from 100 children diagnosed with class I malocclusion between the ages 6 to 13 years who visited the pediatric dentist at Seoul National University Dental Hospital. To ensure traceability, a phantom device was created. Correction values were calculated by measuring the length and angle of the phantom device using the software. Type A uncertainty was calculated by obtaining the standard deviation of cephalometric measurements of 100 persons and the standard error of repeated measurements. Determination of the type B uncertainty was induced by minimum resolution and the position of the head. Using these, the combined standard uncertainty was obtained and the expanded uncertainty was calculated. The results of this study confirm that the currently used software has high accuracy and reliability. Furthermore, the uncertainty of orthodontic measurements in Korean children aged 6 to 13 years was calculated, and distribution range for class I malocclusion with 95% confidence interval was suggested.