Accuracy of linear measurements of galileos cone beam computed tomography in normal and different head positions

Abstract

Introduction. The aim of this study was to determine the accuracy of linear measurements in dry human skulls in ideal position and different deviated positions of the skull. Methods. 6 dry human skulls were included in the study. Opaque markers were attached to alveolar bone. Buccolingual and mesiodistal distances and heights were measured in 5 different regions of either jaws using a digital caliper. Radiographic distances were measured in ideal, rotation, tilt, flexion, and extension positions of the skulls. The physical and radiographic measurements were compared to estimate linear measurement accuracy. Results. The mean difference between physical measurements and radiographic measurements was 0.05 0.45. There was a significant difference between physical measurements and radiographic measurements in ideal, rotation, tilt, and extension positions (P value 0.05). Conclusions. The accuracy of measurements in GALILEOUS CBCT machine varies when the position of the skull deviates from ideal; however, the differences are not clinically significant. Copyright © 2012 Mahnaz Sheikhi et al.