Comparative Study of Manual Cephalometric Tracing and Computerized Cephalometric Tracing in Digital Lateral Cephalogram for Accuracy and Reliability of Landmarks

Introduction: The purpose of the study was to evaluate the skeletal, dental and soft tissue variables accuracy and reliability in digital cephalogram by two methods of tracing - i.e., manual tracing and computerized (Vistadent) cephalometric tracing. Material and methods: A sample of 80 pre-treatment standardized lateral cephalogram were analyzed by a single observer, who performed the manual and computerized tracings of all 80 radiographs. Thirty-three anatomical landmarks were defined on each radiograph by a single investigator and 37 variables were calculated. Data were subjected to statistical analysis. Statistical analysis was undertaken using SPSS 16.0 version statistical software program. No differentiations were made for age or gender. For statistical evaluation of the principal data, differences in measurements between manual tracing and Vistadent tracing were evaluated using t-test. A level of pResults and conclusions: Most of the variables showed consistency between the two methods except for Pog-Nperp, Jarabak ratio, ANS-Me, IMPA, L1-NB, SnPerp-Pog' and nasolabial angle. The study indicates that most of the variables show consistency between manual tracing and computerized tracing while most of the cephalometric variables were reliable.