Measuring and predicting leeway space in the mixed dentition on panoramic radiographs using computer imaging analysis
Date
2009-05-08T08:29:03Z
Authors
Green-Thompson, Nadia Farrah
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
Comprehensive and accurate diagnosis and treatment planning is crucial in successful
orthodontics. An essential part of the diagnostic exercise is to determine whether there is a
tooth size/arch length discrepancy (Bishara, 2001). The mixed dentition space analysis is one
method of determining this (Moyers, 1973). The procedure requires the measurement of the
anteroposterior dimension of the crowns of erupted teeth and the prediction of the size of the
crowns of the unerupted permanent canine and premolar teeth. The comparison of tooth sizes
enables the calculation of the ‘leeway space’, which may provide for the transition to the full
intercuspation of the first permanent first molars as well as the relief of a certain amount of
crowding in the arch (Gianelly, 1995). To date, the application of data of methods of
measuring and estimating tooth size have been limited by the relative complexities of the
method (Paredes et al, 2006), and the application of the data has been limited by the
demographic profile of the patient (Schirmer and Wiltshire, 1997; Khan, 2006).
The aim of this study is to develop a technique of precisely measuring the mesiodistal tooth
size of the crowns of teeth from computerized images of panoramic x-rays, using the Leica
QWin© System of Image Analysis (Leica, UK(Pty) Ltd). Ideally, this method would be
accurate, reproducible and easy to use by a clinician.
Thirty sets of study casts and the corresponding panoramic radiographs of patients in the
mixed dentition stage of dental development were chosen, according to specific criteria, from
the archived records of the Undergraduate Clinic at The School of Oral Health Sciences,
University of the Witwatersrand. On the study casts, the mesio-distal widths of the second
deciduous molar (‘e’) and of the first permanent molar (‘6’) teeth in each quadrant were
measured with a digital vernier caliper. The corresponding radiographs were digitally
photographed at a fixed distance, and uploaded onto the computer programme. A
magnification factor was determined using the image of a premeasured object. The images of
the ‘e’ and the ‘6’, together with the image of the unerupted second premolar tooth (‘5’) were
measured with the calibrated linear function of the Leica QWin© System. The data was thus
corrected for by the relevant magnification factor. The size differential between the ‘e’ and
the ‘5’, representative of the leeway space, was then calculated.
A calculation of the intra-examiner repeatability demonstrated a low co-efficient of variation
of the measurements recorded on both the study casts and on the computer. The
measurements of the teeth taken on the study casts were compared with the corrected
measurements of the same teeth taken from the computer images of the teeth. Tooth size
measurements taken with the Leica QWin System were greater than those taken with the
vernier calipers. In both methods the sizes of the teeth were larger in the mandible than in the
maxilla. This observation was also reported by Kraus et al (1969). The values for leeway
space were calculated in both jaws. The mean values of leeway space in the maxilla were
0.81mm on the left hand side and 1.08mm on the right hand side, and 2.43mm on the left
hand side and 2.59mm on the right hand side in the mandible. These values were similar to
those recorded by Nance (1947) and by Bishara et al (1988) who also found that values of
leeway space were smaller in the maxilla than in the mandible.
The accuracy of the measurements taken with the proposed method was found to be
dependent upon correct patient positioning in the focal trough of the machine at the time of
panoramic radiographic exposure, the use of a marker known in size placed at the site to be
measured in order to correct measurements for magnification and the definition of
corresponding mesio-distal points on the teeth from which measurements would be taken on
both sets of records.
Description
Keywords
teeth, spacing, radiographs, computer imaging