Abstract :
Introduction: Most of the several cephalometric analyses used for the diagnosis of sagittal dysplasia, Point A is the most widely used indicator for ascertaining of maxillary position. By the virtue of difficulty in locating point A in many cases, alternative methods had been proposed for precise location of point A but there are only few studies on the reliability of these alternative points. Point M is one such indicator for evaluating the sagittal position of maxilla. The objective of this study is to measure and compare the reliability of point A and point M.
Materials and Methods: Lateral cephalogram of 50 subjects (11-20 years) were included in the study consisting of all types of skeletal malocclusions. Point A and point M were identified by two different group of orthodontists. Linear and angular measurements through both the points were analysed and compared between the observers using interclass correlation.
Results: Interclass correlation coefficient of linear and angular parameters of point M was found to be higher than point A.
Conclusion: Point M may be considered as more reliable alternative for point A in two dimensional cephalometric analysis.
Keyword :
Point A, Point M, Lateral Cephalogram, Reliability.