Application of Digital Radiography for Measuring in Clinical Dental Practice

Abstract

Introduction The recent literature data points out a rising application of digital radiography – radiovisiography (RVG) – in dental clinical practice.

Objective The aim of this study was to apply and compare RVG with the conventional radiographic technique (CRDG) in terms of accuracy in linear measurement in dentistry.

Methods Measurements were done on the mandibular dogs teeth considering incisors crown width and height of the surrounding alveolar bone using RVG and CRDG. The control technique (CONT) involved values obtained by direct gauging in dogs mouth. Each measuring was done by two examiners.

Results Considering the incisors’ crown width, there were no significant statistical difference in measurement using CRDG, RVG and CONT technique (p>0.01). Concerning the alveolar height gauging there were no significant difference in recorded values between the two radiographic techniques (p>0.01). The high level of inter-examiner agreement was observed for scoring in all techniques (CRDG, RVG and CONT).

Conclusion Although RVG did not expose more accuracy comparing to CRDG, having opulent tool service the first technique contributed more comfortable work during measuring procedures in this study.

Keywords: anthropometry; alveolar ridge height; tooth crown width; digital radiography – radiovisiography; mandibular incisor; morphometrics