Validation of a computer-assisted system on classifying lower third molars.

OBJECTIVES The present study evaluates the reliability of the Radio Memory® software (Radio Memory; Belo Horizonte, Brasil.) on classifying lower third molars, analyzing intra- and interexaminer agreement of the results. STUDY DESIGN An observational, descriptive study of 280 lower third molars was made. The corresponding orthopantomographs were analyzed by two examiners using the Radio Memory® software. The exam was repeated 30 days after the first observation by each examiner. Both intra- and interexaminer agreement were determined using the SPSS v 12.0 software package for Windows (SPSS; Chicago, USA). RESULTS Intra- and interexaminer agreement was shown for both the Pell & Gregory and the Winter classifications, p<0.01, with 99% significant correlation between variables in all the cases. CONCLUSIONS The use of Radio Memory® software for the classification of lower third molars is shown to be a valid alternative to the conventional method (direct evaluation on the orthopantomograph), for both clinical and investigational applications.