Reliability and accuracy of automatic segmentation of mandibular 3D models on linear measurements.

OBJECTIVE: Evaluate if automatic segmentation of mandibular three-dimensional (3D) models is reliable and accurate. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eight dry mandibles with eight silica markers were scanned in the i-CAT Classic device (Imaging Sciences International). Automatic segmentation was performed using nine standard preset thresholds in the Dolphin software (Dolphin Imaging & Management Solutions). Three observers individually made twice eight linear measurements on the mandibular 3D models. Another observer made physical measurements, twice as well, on the dry mandibles. Reliability and accuracy were evaluated with intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs), Dahlberg's formula, Bland-Altman analyses, and changing bias with regression analyses. RESULTS: Inter-observer and intra-observer ICCs and Dahlberg's error were ≥ 0.75 and ≤ 1.0 mm, respectively, for all measurements. Inter-observer agreement between mandibular 3D models and physical measurements ranged from -0.37 to 0.91 mm. CONCLUSIONS: Linear measurements made on mandibular 3D models obtained using standard preset thresholds are reliable and accurate. However, additional studies are necessary to confirm this hypothesis for clinical applications. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Since the 3D models are useful for diagnostics and surgical planning, it is necessary to determinate whether the linear measurements made on 3D models obtained by automatic segmentation are sufficiently reliable and accurate.

Effect of polymerization techniques on vertical dimension and tooth position in complete dentures.

Due to the changes in the composition and processing of acrylic resins, it seems appropriate to evaluate the influence of polymerization methods about the alteration of occlusal vertical dimension and the horizontal positioning of artificial teeth of total dentures. For this, 64 specimens were made, simulating a maxillary total denture waxed from a standard maxillary denture. The experimental samples were divided into two groups: Group 1 - The resins were submitted to polymerization in a hot water bath, Group 2 - The same resins were submitted to poly-merization by microwave energy. The samples were measured horizontally and vertically before and after the polymerization process. Based on the results, it can be concluded that there was no statistically significant difference between the conventional polymerization method and the polymerization method by microwave, related to the stability of occlusal vertical dimension and horizontal positioning of artificial teeth on the specimens evaluated.