Introduction: Knowing the normal dimensions of the dental arches is the basis for recognizing an abnormal dental arch (Rant, 1970). With the use of three-dimensional (3D) scanners we can obtain 3D study models, on which different linear dimensions, surfaces and volumes can be analyzed with the help of various computer software devices (Primožič et al., 2012). The technology, which involves the use of 3D scanners and 3D models, is used in dentistry for a variety of purpuses. With this technology and 3D model research, we can now obtain results and reliable data that help us improve effective treatment (Yang et al., 2013). Purpose: The purpuse of this work is to obtain digital study models and analyze data on the palatal surface area, palatal projection area and palatal volume in healthy children without orthodontic treatment aged 5 to 12 years. Therefore, the goals are to obtain data on the palatal surface area, palatal projection area and palatal volume. With this, we will obtain data on the normal growth and development of the upper jaw in a group of healthy Slovenian children included in the study group. Methods: When writing the thesis, we used the so called descriptive method, which included collecting, reading, analyzing and critically assessing professional literature: professional articles, textbooks and books. The practical part of the thesis was based on the acquisition of data using the three-dimensional method of scanning and analysis of the scanned study models. All the study models were scanned using the three-dimensional method on the 3Shape E3 scanner. Analyzes of the study models were performed in the computer program RapidformTM 2016 (Inus Technology Inc., Seoul Korea). We analyzed the data using using two planes: the gingival plane and the distal plane. Results: The Shapiro-Wilk test showed that the deviation from the normal distribution for most variables was statistically significant (p<0.05). Since within the measurement of the individual variables (P, G and V), the data in three phases are not distributed normally, we used non-parametric analysis procedures in the following processing. The Wilcoxon test was used to test the hypotheses, and the Yuen test was used to determine gender differences. The data shows that the distribution of the measured variables changes over the years. The results show a trend of changing right asymmetric distributions (first phase) towards a normal distribution (last phase). Discussion and conclusion: The reviewed literature shows the importance of early recognition of improper development and growth of the jaws in the subsequent correction of orthodontic abnormalities (Primožič et al., 2012, Rant, 1970). The method we used in this thesis has been used before (Krneta, 2012, Bukovac et al., 2014) but never in such an extensive study. With the rapid development of technologies in the field of orthodontics, it will be possible to obtain data on dimensions more and more efficiently, quickly and accurately, which could greatly contribute to the faster treatment of patients who urgently need it. The three-dimensional data acquisition method described in this work is fairly undemanding and less time consuming than other methods. When scanning with an intraoral 3D optical scanner, the method is even slightly more efficient, as we save a few steps (impression with alginate impression material, casting impressions from plaster, scanning on an extraoral scanner).
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