A Superimposition-Based Cephalometric Method to Quantitate Craniofacial Changes

Nameer Al-Taai, Eva Levring Jäghagen, Maurits Persson, Maria Ransjö and Anna Westerlund
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Nameer Al-Taai: Orthodontics, Department of Odontology, Umeå University, SE-901 85 Umeå, Sweden
Eva Levring Jäghagen: Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, Department of Odontology, Umeå University, SE-901 85 Umeå, Sweden
Maurits Persson: Orthodontics, Department of Odontology, Umeå University, SE-901 85 Umeå, Sweden
Maria Ransjö: Orthodontics, Department of Odontology, Umeå University, SE-901 85 Umeå, Sweden
Anna Westerlund: Department of Orthodontics, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, SE-405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 10, 1-14

Abstract: To assess the craniofacial changes related to growth and/or to orthodontic and orthognathic treatments, it is necessary to superimpose serial radiographs on stable structures. However, conventional superimposition provides only a graphical illustration of these changes. To increase the precision of growth and treatment evaluations, it is desirable to quantitate these craniofacial changes. The aims of this study were to (1) evaluate a superimposition-based cephalometric method to process numerical data for craniofacial growth changes and (2) identify a valid, reliable, and feasible method for superimposition. Forty pairs of cephalograms were analyzed at T1 and T2 (mean age 9.9 and 15.0 years, respectively). The superimposition-based cephalometric method involved relating the sagittal and vertical measurements on the T2 radiographs to the nasion and sella landmarks on the T1 radiographs. Validity and reliability were evaluated for three superimposition methods: the sella-nasion (SN); the tuberculum sella-wing (TW); and Björk’s structural. Superimposition-based cephalometrics can be used to quantify craniofacial changes digitally. The numerical data from the superimposition-based cephalometrics reflected a graphical illustration of superimposition and differed significantly from the data acquired through conventional cephalometrics. Superimposition using the TW method is recommended as it is valid, reliable, and feasible.

Keywords: cephalometry; reproducibility; skull base; superimposition (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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