Abstract
Objective: To evaluate the reliability and validity of the Next Engine 3D Laser scanner. Material and Methods: A total of 30 dental casts of unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP) children with 90 linear variables were measured using digital caliper while the laser-scanned sD dental casts (LSSDM) were measured using Mimics Software. All scanned data coordinates (in x, y, z) were transferred into Mimics software in STL format to be measured. All the variables were measured using a computer mouse accurate to 0.5 mm. The intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC) was used to evaluate the intra- and inter-examiner reliabilities and also for the validity of two methods. Results: Intra-examiner reliabilities of digital caliper and LSSDM were found excellent (ICC 0.916-0.995) and inter-examiner reliabilities of LSSDM were good to excellent (ICC 0.816-0.990). The validity of LSSDM measurements was confirmed based on the ICC values were in the range of 0.915-0.996. The overall time frame for conducting measurements was shorter using a laser-scanned model (10 min.) than using a digital caliper (5 hours). Conclusion: The LSSDM is a valid reliable tool for future high impact research in our institution.