Author

Assistant Professor, Department of Orthodontics, School of Dentistry, Kerman University, Kerman, Iran

10.22034/ijo.2009.247881

Abstract

Aim: The rapid evolution of digital radiographic systems and digital tracing software is having an impact on cephalometrics, slowly replacing traditional hand-tracing methods on hard copies of radiographic films. The purpose of this study was to examine and compare the reliability and reproducibility of digitization using Onyxceph imaging software (Version 2.6.14) with conventional manual techniques. 
Materials and methods: Thirty lateral cephalograms of an office patients previously treated, randomly selected and were evaluated by two methods: manual tracing and indirect digitization using Onyxceph imaging software (Version 2.6.14). Method error (reliability) using duplicate measurements for each method, and comparison of both techniques (reproducibility), were investigated using alternative statistical methods, paired t-test and pearson’s Correlation.
Results: All the measurements showed good reliability in both methods except for nasolabial angle in the manual method. Between the two methods, sum of posterior angles measurement had statistically significant difference.
Conclusions: Onyxceph tracing software (version 2.6.14) can be used instead of the time consuming conventional method for lateral cephalometric analysis with good accuracy.

Keywords