Cone-Beam Computed Tomography: Accuracy of Three-dimensional Cephalometry Analysis and Influence of Patient Scanning Position

The aim of this research was to analyze the influence of the position of the skull during cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) scan and if the three-dimensional cephalometric measurements are influenced by skull orientation during CBCT scan. The study consisted of 5 CBCT scanning (KODAK 9500 Cone Beam 3D System unit) in 5 different positions of a dry skull. The data were imported in SIMPLANT OMS Software version 13.0. Fifteen three-dimensional cephalometric measurements were calculated; moreover, the mean, the SD, the maximum/minimum Delta, and the maximum/minimum Delta percentage were calculated. The statistical analysis was performed by an independent-samples t-test to evaluate differences between the 5 scans. No difference was found in all the three-dimensional analysis. Twelve of 15 measurements have a Delta greater than 1.5, and 7 of 15 measurements have a Delta greater than 2. Nine of 15 have a Delta percentage greater than 5%. The preliminary results suggest that the three-dimensional cephalometric analysis is influenced by patient scanning position.