Intra-Observer Variation of Space Available in the Mandibular Dental Arch by Two Different Measuring Tools-Vernier Calliper and Brass Wire with a Millimetre Ruler

Article Information

Title: Intra-Observer Variation of Space Available in the Mandibular Dental Arch by Two Different Measuring Tools-Vernier Calliper and Brass Wire with a Millimetre Ruler

Authors: Rooma Shahid, Abdullah Jan, Ayesha Fazal, Alaina Tariq Mughal, Fareena Ghaffar, Sundas Mehmood

Journal: Pakistan Armed Forces Medical Journal (PAFMJ)

HEC Recognition History

Category	From	To
Y	2024-10-01	2025-12-31
Y	2023-07-01	2024-09-30
Y	2021-07-01	2022-06-30
Y	2020-07-01	2021-06-30
Y	1900-01-01	2005-06-30

Publisher: Army Medical College, Rawalpindi.

Country: Pakistan

Year: 2023

Volume: 73

Issue: 2

Language: English

DOI: 10.51253/pafmj.v73i2.5615

Keywords: Brass wireIntra observerSpace availableSystemic errorsVernier calliper

Abstract

Objective: To check the variation of space available in the mandibular dental arch using different tools, i.e., Vernier caliper and brass wire with a millimeter ruler.
Study Design: Comparative cross-sectional study.
Place and Duration of Study: Department of Orthodontics, Armed Forces Institute of Dentistry (AFID), Rawalpindi Pakistan, from Sep to Dec 2019.
Methodology: Seventy-five dental casts of patients, with an age range between 12-25 years were included in the study. The variation of the space available using two different measuring tools (Vernier calliper and brass wire with millimetre ruler) in the mandibular arch was determined by the same observer to assess random and systematic errors. The examiner recorded the measurements, and then the same examiner repeated the measurements after ten days by taking two readings each using the blinding technique to minimize bias. Random and systematic errors were analyzed with the use of two methods.
Results: Systematic errors were found to be significant with brass wire with millimetre ruler method only (p-value=0.02). For random errors, the Vernier calliper can be considered a better method to measure reproducibility and repeatability. However, brass wire with a millimetre ruler method can be considered better for measuring repeatability than reproducibility since the value to measure random errors was less than 1mm but in the upper limits (p-value=0.091).
Conclusion: In the current study, it is concluded that the Vernier calliper is more precise in measuring the readings in orthodontics for arch space measurement than that of brass wire with a millimetre ruler. However, brass wire&nbsp;

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Research Objective

To assess the intra-observer variation in measuring the space available in the mandibular dental arch using two different tools: a Vernier caliper and brass wire with a millimeter ruler.

Methodology

A comparative cross-sectional study was conducted on 75 dental casts of patients aged 12-25 years. The same observer measured the space available in the mandibular arch using both a Vernier caliper and brass wire with a millimeter ruler. Measurements were repeated after ten days by the same observer, with two readings taken each time using a blinding technique to minimize bias. Random and systematic errors were analyzed.

Methodology Flowchart

                        graph TD;
    A["Collect 75 Dental Casts Age 12-25"] --> B["Measure Space Available with Vernier Caliper - Day 1"];
    B --> C["Measure Space Available with Brass Wire - Day 1"];
    C --> D["Wait 10 Days"];
    D --> E["Repeat Measurement with Vernier Caliper - Day 10, Reading 1"];
    E --> F["Repeat Measurement with Vernier Caliper - Day 10, Reading 2"];
    F --> G["Repeat Measurement with Brass Wire - Day 10, Reading 1"];
    G --> H["Repeat Measurement with Brass Wire - Day 10, Reading 2"];
    H --> I["Analyze Systematic and Random Errors"];
    I --> J["Compare Results and Draw Conclusions"];

Discussion

The study evaluated the repeatability and reproducibility of measurements to assess systematic and random errors. The Vernier caliper demonstrated greater precision and reliability for intra-observer measurements of arch space compared to the brass wire and millimeter ruler method. While both methods can be used, the Vernier caliper offers superior accuracy.

Key Findings

Systematic errors were found to be significant only with the brass wire and millimeter ruler method (p=0.02). For random errors, the Vernier caliper was found to be a better method for measuring reproducibility and repeatability. The brass wire and millimeter ruler method was better for measuring repeatability than reproducibility, with random error values less than 1mm but at the upper limits (p=0.091).

Conclusion

The Vernier caliper is more precise for measuring arch space in orthodontics compared to the brass wire with a millimeter ruler. However, the brass wire method can also be utilized for taking readings.

Fact Check

1. Study Duration: The study was conducted from September to December 2019. (Confirmed in text)
2. Sample Size: Seventy-five dental casts of patients were included in the study. (Confirmed in text)
3. Systematic Error Significance: Systematic errors were found to be significant with the brass wire and millimeter ruler method (p-value=0.02). (Confirmed in text)

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