Semester

Spring

Date of Graduation

2010

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Type

MS

College

School of Dentistry

Department

Not Listed

Committee Chair

Peter Ngan.

Abstract

The difficulty with three-dimensional analyses remains with the myriad of data that is possible to derive from a volume. The goal of this study is to report 3D changes in the temporomandibular joint in a reliable and quantifiable way. The approach included plotting specific referents on the mandibular condyle and tracking them in magnitude (mm) and direction (°) on a reference plane after superimposing the cone beams three-dimensionally on the inferior alveolar nerve canal and the lower contour of the third molar tooth germ. Two sets of measurements were compared for reliability and each measurement showed varied correlation. Linear measurements tended to be more reliable than component and angular measurements. Angular measurements were generally the least reliable. The varied reliability results are likely due to the difficulty in superimposing limited field of view (FOV) cone beam radiographs because of inadequate structures that are able to be superimposed.

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