ACCURACY OF DIGITAL THREE-DIMENSIONAL ROOT POSITION PREDICTION VIA DIGITIZED MODELS

A well-executed orthodontic treatment has accurate root positioning as an integral pillar for its success. Unfortunately, contemporary methods used to visualize root positions are flawed in accuracy, resolution or excessive amount of radiation. This study was carried out to visualize the root position with a less radiation dose. At “Timepoint 0” a Cone-Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) was taken for the patient before the start of the treatment. At “Timepoint 1” a CBCT was taken as a Reference Standard along with a digital extra-oral scan. A Predicted Root Position (PRP) assembly was made and compared to the Reference Standard to detect discrepancies between both. Mesiodistal tip analysis after indirect superimposition found displacement differences of 1.85 ± 1.09mm for the maxillary roots and 1.79 mm ± 1.16 mm for the mandibular roots. For buccolingual torque, displacement differences of 2.13 ± 1.52mm for the maxillary roots and 2.29 mm ± 1.59 mm for the mandibular roots. For root tip displacement, displacement differences of 1.57 ± 0.86mm for the maxillary roots and 1.44 mm ± 0.82 mm for the mandibular roots.