RELIABILITY AND VALIDITY OF DENTAL ARCH MEASUREMENTS OBTAINED FROM PHOTOGRAPHS AND SCANNED IMAGES OF DENTAL CASTS WITH THAT OF CONVENTIONAL DENTAL CAST.

ABSTRACT Introduction: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the reliability and validity of dental arch measurements obtained from photographs and scanned images of dental casts with that of conventional dental cast. Materials and Methods: The study comprised of 50 patients (25 males and 25 females) aged 15-24 in permanent dentition without agenesis and/or tooth loss. Twenty eight variables were examined. Results: A paired t-test and interclass correlation coefficient (ICC) were used to evaluate validity and reliability. Interclass correlation coefficient (ICC) revealed excellent reliability for photographic methods (p< 0.05). Conclusion: Photographs seems to be clinically acceptable alternative to stone casts for the routine measurements used in orthodontic practice. KEY WORDS: Reliability, Scanned images, Photographs