Analysis of Three-Dimensional Tooth Movement: A Comparative Study Between Digital Dental Models and Craniofacial Models

TL;DR

This study compares digital dental models and CT scans to assess tooth movement, finding that digital models are reliable and precise for orthodontic evaluations.

Contribution

The study introduces the third palatal rugae and palatal vault as a reliable reference region for 3D tooth movement analysis using digital dental models.

Findings

Digital dental models showed high reproducibility with minimal standard errors (<0.15 mm) in X, Y, and Z displacements.

Bland-Altman analysis confirmed agreement between digital dental models and CT scans for linear tooth movement measurements.

Digital models offer clinical advantages like no X-ray exposure and high-resolution 3D imaging.

Abstract

Objective: This study aims to validate the efficacy of using a digital dental model (DM) with reference to the palatal region of interest (PROI) for assessing orthodontic tooth movement (TM) by comparing it with the analysis of a computed tomography (CT) model with reference to the cranial region of interest (CROI).

Materials and methods: Thirty-four patients (mean age: 21 years and 11 months) with jaw deformities underwent DM and CT scans before and after presurgical orthognathic treatment. Linear and angular measurements during TM were conducted in three dimensions using both DM and CT to assess reliability.

Results: DM analysis with PROI registration exhibited high levels of reproducibility, with minimal standard errors in X, Y, and Z displacements (<0.15 mm) and 0.43 degrees in angular change. CT analysis with CROI registration demonstrates similarly high reproducibility, with standard errors inferior to DM analysis (<0.20 mm). Bland-Altman analysis indicated agreement in linear changes of each X, Y, and Z displacement between DM and CT measurements, with limits of agreement (LOA) below 0.91 mm.

Conclusions: The results of this study suggest that the PROI, focusing on the third palatal rugae and the horizontal part of the palatal vault, serves as a reliable reference region for evaluating three-dimensional (3D) tooth movement.

Clinical significance: Digital dental models offer distinct advantages including the absence of X-ray exposure, no metal artifacts, and the ability to generate high-resolution 3D models. The methodology demonstrated high precision and reproducibility, supporting its potential clinical utility in orthodontic treatment planning and assessment.

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