The aim of this study was to evaluate the accuracy and reliability of angular and linear cephalometric measurements using a computerized method of direct digital radiographs. This was then compared with the measurements obtained with a computerized method that uses a digitizing pad and hand tracing of printout radiographs. Pre-treatment digital cephalometric radiographs of 125 patients were traced using Vistadent 2.1 AT and Jiffy Orthodontic Evaluation (JOE) software programs and by hand tracing of the printouts. Twenty-six anatomical landmarks were defined on each radiograph by a single investigator and 28 variables were calculated. Statistical analysis was undertaken using one-way analysis of variance and multiple group comparisons using Duncan's test at a significance level of 0.05. Low correlation coefficients indicated poor reproducibility for nasolabial angle for each of the three methods (P > 0.05). Most of the variables showed consistency between the three methods except for nasolabial angle, ANS–Me, APFH, L1–NB, Nperp–Pg, Go–Me, and U1–NA measurements. The findings indicated that most of the cephalometric measurements were highly reproducible with direct digital radiographs using Vistadent 2.1 AT as well as with printouts using both JOE software and hand tracing. Despite the low correlation for some measurements between the Vistadent 2.1 AT, JOE, and hand-tracing methods, most of the commonly used measurements were accurate. The user-friendly and time-saving nature of the computerized method using digital radiographs makes it the preferred option.

Objective: To evaluate the adaptive changes and the stability in tongue posture following rapid maxillary expansion (RME) in patients without any signs or symptoms of respiratory disturbances. Materials and Methods: Growing subjects with maxillary constrictions and bilateral buccal crossbites were included in the treatment group (n = 20). A control group (n = 20) comprised subjects with normal dentoskeletal features. RME appliances were used in the treatment group, with an average active expansion of 15 ± 2 days. Cephalometric radiographs were traced and digitized to evaluate static tongue posture before RME and 6.75 ± 0.48 months after RME. Follow-up radiographic evaluations of 17 expansion cases were also performed after an average of 29.25 ± 1.85 months. Independent and paired t-tests were conducted to evaluate changes in tongue posture within and between groups. Results: Results revealed significant reductions of tongue-to-palate (P < .05) as well as hyoid bone-to-mandibular plane (P < .01) distances following RME. The new tongue posture was found to be stable during the follow-up period. Conclusions: A higher tongue posture can be obtained with RME in children with no reported respiratory disturbances. (Angle Orthod. 2009:79; )

The aim of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of cephalometric measurements using computerized tracing of direct digital radiographs in comparison with hand tracing of digital radiographic printouts. Comparisons were made between methods in terms of accuracy of individual measurements as well as evaluation of treatment outcomes. Pre- (T1) and post- (T2) treatment cephalometric digital radiographs of 30 patients were traced using the Vistadent OC 1.1 computer software program (group 1) and manually (group 2) by the same investigator. A total of 26 anatomical landmarks were located and measured. Measurement reproducibility was evaluated by calculating intraclass correlation coefficients, and paired t-tests were used to compare differences in individual measurements and treatment outcomes between methods. Differences greater than 0.05 were considered to be statistically significant. Significant differences were found between the two methods for SNB, Wits appraisal, Cd–A, Cd–Gn, FMA, SN–PP, U1–NA (mm), U1–FH, L1–NB (mm), and Li–E plane. No significant differences were found between the two methods in the measurement of treatment changes. Cephalometric measurements of most parameters were reproducible for both methods. Despite some discrepancies in measured values between hand-tracing and the computerized method, any differences were minimal and clinically acceptable.

Craniofacial morphology and asymmetry were compared before, during, and after puberty within and between patients with unilateral complete cleft lip and palate (UCCLP) and a non-cleft group. In the UCCLP group, the posterior cranial base and total cranial base were significantly shorter at all skeletal periods, the maxilla was significantly retruded and posteriorly rotated, and the mandible was significantly smaller and inferoposteriorly rotated. The angle between the nasal and mandibular plane and lower anterior facial height were significantly higher, and upper posterior facial height and total posterior height were significantly lower, in the UCCLP group. Except for an increase in the nasal cavity, no significant differences were detected in facial width. For all measurements, asymmetry on the horizontal plane was more significant than that on the vertical plane. Asymmetries in the UCCLP group were mostly detected during puberty. The UCCLP group had no distinctive mandibular asymmetry, as compared with the Class I group. In UCCLP patients, the cranial base, maxilla, and mandible were affected on the sagittal plane during all growth periods. However, horizontal asymmetries were mostly detected before and during puberty. Vertical asymmetries were less severe, and there was no distinctive mandibular asymmetry as compared with the Class I group. (J Oral Sci 56, 165-172, 2014)

Mandibular deficiency may be a factor in reduced oropharyngeal airway (OAW) dimensions and related impaired respiratory function. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the use of functional-orthopedic devices in increasing OAW dimensions in children with Class II skeletal patterns (ANB > 4) and clinically deficient mandibles. Comparisons were made between two groups, one comprising 26 treated patients and the other comprising 15 controls. Student's t-tests, paired t-tests, discriminant analyses, and Pearson's r-correlation coefficients were performed to evaluate group differences and to search for characteristics that might suggest which patients would be better candidates for significant increase in OAW dimensions. Compared with controls, OAW dimensions increased significantly in treated patients, especially those with sagittally smaller and more retrognathic maxillomandibular complexes and smaller OAW dimensions.