[Comparison of digital model and dental plaster model in evaluation of bilateral cleft lip and palate].

PURPOSE: To compare the reliability of digital model and plaster model on evaluation of bilateral cleft lip and palate. METHODS: Nineteen pairs of digital and plaster model obtained from bilateral cleft lip and palate patients were measured, including nine measurements, such as maxillary alveolar length, width, cleft width, the deviation of maxillary middle line. One-way ANOVA was conducted for statistical analysis with SPSS 24.0 software package. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between the repeated measurements of the two types of models, there was no significant difference in the measurements between two types of models used in clinic. CONCLUSIONS: Both methods are suitable for evaluation of bilateral cleft lip and palate patients. Compared with conventional plaster model, digital model provides a safer and convenient way to obtain useful information both for research and clinical need.