Abstract
BackgroundThe aim of the study was to assess the accuracy of commercially available software in estimating anterior tooth root inclination from digital impressions of the crowns of the teeth.Subjects and methodsFollowing sample size calculation and application of inclusion and exclusion criteria, 55 anterior natural teeth derived from 14 dry human skulls were selected. Impressions were taken and plaster study models were fabricated. Plaster models were scanned using the high-resolution mode of an Ortho Insight 3D laser scanner. The teeth on the digital scans were segmented and virtual roots were predicted and constructed by the Ortho Insight 3D software. The 55 natural teeth were removed from the dry skulls and scanned using the Identica extraoral white-light scanner in order to calculate their actual root angulation. The teeth were scanned twice, once to acquire the crown and the cervical part of the root, and a second time to acquire the remaining part of the root, including the apex. The two scanned segments were joined in software by superimposing them along their common part. The accuracy of the digital models generated by the Ortho Insight 3D scanner in predicting root angulation was assessed by comparing these results to the corresponding measurements of the 55 natural teeth. The long axes of the tooth models obtained from the software prediction and the scanning of the actual teeth were computed and the discrepancy between them was evaluated. The error of the methods was evaluated by repeating the measurements on 14 teeth and showed an acceptable range.ResultsThe predicted tooth angulation was found to differ significantly from the actual angulation, both statistically and clinically. The angle between the predicted and actual long axes ranged from 2.0 to 37.6°(average 9.7°; median 7.4°). No statistically significant difference was found between tooth categories.ConclusionsFurther investigations and improvements of the software are needed before it can be considered clinically effective.
Highlights
The aim of the study was to assess the accuracy of commercially available software in estimating anterior tooth root inclination from digital impressions of the crowns of the teeth
Our aim was to assess the accuracy of softwaregenerated digital models of anterior teeth by comparing the predicted root angulation to data obtained from natural teeth on dry skulls
No systematic error was detected in the repeated angular measurements between the estimated and the actual root angulation
Summary
The aim of the study was to assess the accuracy of commercially available software in estimating anterior tooth root inclination from digital impressions of the crowns of the teeth. Compared to traditional plaster study casts, digital models present numerous advantages in terms of cost, time and storage space, without sacrificing measurement accuracy, reliability, and reproducibility [14] Such models are obtained by intraoral scanning, or from dental impressions and stone casts, but they include only the clinical crowns of the teeth with no root information [12]. Combining the two technologies makes it possible to fuse the highly detailed scanned crown surfaces with the CBCT root surfaces into one virtual whole tooth model [17]. This requires radiation exposure that should be avoided [11]. The Ortho Insight 3DTM laser scanner, in conjunction with the Motion View Software, Magkavali-Trikka et al Progress in Orthodontics (2019) 20:43
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
