Assessment of Dental Arch Symmetry Measurements on Conventional and Digital Study Model: A Validity, Reliability, and Reproducibility Study

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Aim: This study aims to assess the validity, reliability, and reproducibility of dental arch symmetry measurements between conventional study models and digital study models. Materials and Methods: The study sample comprised 50 pretreatment diagnostic conventional study models. The symmetry of the dental arch is evaluated by using the perpendicular distance from the tips of the canine and the first molar distobuccal cusps to the dental arch center line. This line is drawn from the midpoint of the right and left incisor edges to perpendicularly intersect the line connected by the tips of the right and left second molar distobuccal cusps. The distances from the midpoint of the right and left incisor edges to the tips of the right and left second molar distobuccal cusps to evaluate the symmetry of the dental arch were also measured. Results: These results revealed that in measurement on conventional study models in the upper arch, the mean value of dental arch form at maxillary right second molar was 26.55, and dental arch form at maxillary left second molar was 26.53. Measurement on three-dimensional (3D) models in the upper arch, the mean value of dental arch form at the maxillary right second molar was 26.50, and dental arch form at the maxillary left second molar was 26.50. Measurement on plaster models in the lower arch the mean value of dental arch form at the mandibular right second molar was 24.48 and dental arch form at the mandibular left second molar was 24.42. Measurement on 3D models in lower arch the mean value of dental arch form at mandibular right second molar was 24.08 and dental arch form at mandibular left second molar was 24.08. Furthermore, there was no statistically significant difference in arch symmetry measurements between the conventional study model and the 3D digital model. Conclusion: This study concludes that dental arch symmetry measurements of digital study models were as valid, reliable, and reproducible compared with conventional study models.