Cone-Beam Computed Tomography scans versus study models to assess the total maxillary arch constriction in patients with unilateral cleft lip and palate

Objective: To evaluate the reliability of using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans instead of study models to assess the total maxillary arch constriction using the modified Huddart Budenham (MHB) scoring system in patients with unilateral cleft lip and palate
Materials & Methods: The study models of fifty-six patients with non-syndromic surgically repaired complete UCLP were used to assess the total maxillary arch constriction using the MHB scoring system. The CBCT scans of the same patients were used to assess the same scoring system again. Three examiners scored the study models and the CBCT scans independently using the MHB scoring system and repeated the scoring one month later. Cronbach’s alpha reliability coefficient and Intra-Class Correlation Coefficient (ICC) were used to assess intra and inter-observer agreement, as well as agreement between the study models and CBCT measurements. Spearman’s (ρ) correlation coefficient was used to determine the correlation between study models and CBCT measurements.
Results: There was a very good level of intra-observer agreement for both the study models and the CBCT measurements. Cronbach’s alpha values measuring inter-observer agreement were above 0.74 and 0.76, respectively, for all examiners. There was a statistically significant correlation between the study models and the CBCT measurements in all cases (P-value <0.001). The results showed no significant difference between the scores of the study models and the CBCT scans.
Conclusions: CBCT scans provide a reliable method that can substitute the study models to assess the total maxillary arch constriction in patients with UCLP using the MHB scoring system