Size differences between the maxillary halves in CBCT datasets of subjects with unilateral palatal canine impactions

Abstract

Objective To investigate asymmetry in the maxillary volume of subjects with unilateral palatal canine impactions using a novel artificial intelligence (AI)-assisted Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) segmentation method. Methods Craniofacial CBCT datasets of eleven subjects with unilateral palatal canine impactions were processed with a combination of AI-assisted automatic and investigator-guided segmentation techniques. Post-segmentation, three investigators independently measured the voxel-based volumes of specific maxillary structures, including the impaction and non-impaction maxillary sides, and the maxillary canines. Results High inter- and intra-investigator reliability in the volumetric measurements was seen. No significant right-left differences in the volumetric measurements of the skeletal maxillary halves (p = 0.3) or maxillary canines (p = 0.87) was observed in subjects with unilateral palatal canine impactions. Conclusions Within study limitations, right-left maxillary volumetric symmetry is observed in subjects with unilateral palatal canine impactions. The study establishes a reliable method for future AI-assisted investigations to understand the aetiology of canine impactions using CBCT datasets.