Comparative Assessment of Reliability and Accuracy of Two Different Software?s Used for Model Analysis
Author(s): Harsha L and Ravindra Kumar Jain*
Abstract
Aim: The aim of the present study was to assess and compare the reliability and accuracy of two different software’s used for measuring arch dimensions and doing model analysis. Objective: The objective of the present study was to assess the reliability and accuracy of 2 digital softwares for orthodontic model analysis and compare it to manual method. Background: With emerging technology in the field of dentistry, 3D virtual models are been widely used for diagnostic and research purposes. Materials and Methods: The study involved pre-treatment study models of 20 patients evaluated by 3 methods namely, Group 1- manual, Group 2 - ExoCad and Group 3 - Ortho Analyser software. Measurements of the following parameters, inter premolar width (IPW), intermolar width (IMW), arch length (AL) and Bolton’s ratio (BR) were performed and the data obtained was tabulated and subjected to statistical analysis with SPSS version 23.0. The normality of data was assessed using Shapiro-Wilk test. Reliability among the groups was assessed using Cronbach’s alpha test. The differences in the parameters across the 3 groups were assessed using one way ANOVA followed by post hoc Tukey test. A p value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Shapiro wilks test confirmed the normality of the data (p>0.05). The Cronbach’s alpha test for reliability of IPW, IMW, AL concluded excellent reliability (>0.9) and for BR a moderate reliability (0.5-0.8) was noted. No significant difference among the groups studied was observed for all parameters (Post hoc Tukey test p> 0.05) Conclusion: The two softwares used for model analysis are reliable as well as accurate as manual method of model analysis. The linear measurements made on the two softwares are accurate as manual method.