Measurement of cephalometric radiographs: methods of analyzing data on a regional basis and improving reading...

Because of the complexity of craniofacial structures, it is valuable to analyze morphology and posture of one structure relative to more than one origin or region. Coordinate geometry can provide analysis of data from radiographs on a regional basis very efficiently because th data need not be remeasured relative to second or subsequent regions. This application is illustrated by analysis of lingual posture relative to the maxilla and relative to the mandible. The method, which provides efficient comparative measurement of two or more films of one patient, involves neither tracing nor marking on films. The measurements are recorded independently from each film; they can thus be free from bias and replicated for improved accuracy. The technical repeatability is analyzed.