ABSTRACT

The aim of this study is to evaluate the treatment-planning value of digital models compared with plaster models and determine the consistency of treatment decisions.

Twenty-eight models of Class II malocclusion subjects were used for treatment planning by 3 orthodontists. The orthodontists decided on a treatment plan using digital models at the first session and a plaster model in the second session. Treatment decisions were classified and recorded as extraction, distalization, functional appliance, or auxiliary treatments. McNemar test and kappa statistics were used for statistical analysis. Statistical significance was set at p< 0.05.

No statistically significant difference was found between the treatment-plan decisions using digital or plaster models. Kappa statistics was fair for auxiliary (K=0.222), moderate for distalization (K=0.222), and substantial for extraction (K=0.634) and functional appliance (K=0.771) procedures.

The results of this study revealed that digital models can be used for treatment planning as an alternative to plaster models.