This present invention relates to an improved method for cephalometric evaluation and more particularly to a method of analysis through comparison of depictions of structures in orthodontic patients to a normal value orthodontic and/or cranial structure for like patients of similar age or development.
The standard method for cephalometric evaluation of orthodontic patients is to take a radiograph (X-ray) and to plot specific points of interest. By plotting lines, angles and linear measurements, the practitioner is able to evaluate growth and development of an individual patient's orthodontic structures. These lines, angles and linear measurements are compared to other average or "norm" values of lines, angles and linear measurements as a base standard. The practitioner is required to carefully and, as accurately as possible, to plot out each point line and angle and measure each of these individually. Almost all methods of cephalometric analysis use the same specific points of interest for measurement. The practitioner focuses on points which yield the most helpful and consistent results for determining relative growth and development in orthodontic structures.
The measurements obtained from cephalometric analysis allow the practitioner to compare individual patients to average or norm patients of similar ages and ethnic backgrounds. One function of cephalometric analysis is to allow the practitioner to compare dental relations of a patient to individuals who exhibit normative occlusion. Another function is to compare skeletal relations of a patient's skeletal anteroposterior components to skeletal norms of similar individuals. The measurements also enable the practitioner to relate soft tissue outlines of a patient's face to ethnically similar individuals with normative occlusion. All of these functions enable the practitioner to establish the direction of growth and development in an individual's orthodontic structures. Once the direction of growth and development is established the practitioner can determine whether any orthodontic procedures are necessary to obtain a "normal" relationship. In addition, the measurements are helpful in determining whether an individual patient is at risk for certain types of temporomandibular joint (TMJ)dysfunction and if the patient already has TMJ dysfunction, the measurements help determine the desired steps for treatment.
Although the standard method of cephalometric analysis yields the desired results, there are several disadvantages which practitioners have struggled with for years. Manually plotting the specific points of interest and measuring the resulting lines and angles is extremely tedious and time consuming. The ability to obtain optimal precision is limited by the potential for human error in obtaining the measurements. The standard method is also subject to obvious radiographic distortion in areas where two overlapping structures are superimposed.
Various other features of the present invention will become obvious to one skilled in the art upon reading the disclosure set forth herein.