We have developed a new system for measuring dental, gnathic, and facial areas with cephalogram-equivalent images created from computed tomographic imaging data. An advantage of this collaborative system is that a measurement template and automated processing are used. First, experienced orthodontists were provided with the measurement templates; they then moved the measurement markers to the specified landmarks on the cephalogram in the template. Subsequently, the program automatically detected the coordinates of the markers and calculated the distance between those coordinates. The appropriate use of this system leads to highly accurate results in large quantities of measurements in a short time by means of both manual and automatic processing. The system was developed to contribute to worldwide research into dental and craniofacial measurements; the research involved 500 patients, and the system worked successfully.

Accurate, standardized dental model measurements remain labor-intensive and difficult to scale in orthodontics. This technical development study aimed to develop and preliminarily evaluate a semiautomated three-dimensional (3D) dental cast measurement system using standardized measurement templates (patent pending). The workflow integrates robotic handling of models, X-ray CT acquisition of volumetric data, optional intraoral-scan polygonal data (e.g., STL), template generation from 3D data, and orthodontist-guided landmark placement, after which dedicated software retrieves 3D coordinates and performs automated measurements and visualization. The system was demonstrated on four standard models scanned by X-ray CT. It produced automated aggregation of measurements and 3D visual outputs, and enabled calculation of conventional indices as well as template-based metrics such as palatal volume and cusp height variation. This semiautomated approach combines mechanical efficiency with expert oversight, providing a standardized alternative to manual measurement and a foundation for broader applications in orthodontic, prosthodontic, and forensic contexts.