2015 Volume 53 Issue 3 Pages 399-405
In this study we established a novel method for measuring lip form in children using a newly developed instrument (KD measurement). To examine the validity of our measurement method, we investigated the reproducibility between measurers. Also, errors with our novel method as compared to a conventional measurement method that utilized photos were compared. In addition, we examined the relationship between our KD measurement method and lip closure force in 15 children (age range 2 years 9 months to 6 years 1 month ; 6 boys, 9 girls). There were no significant differences for measurement values obtained by 10 different measurers with the KD measurement method. In addition, there were no significant differences between the values obtained by KD measurement and the conventional method using photos of the lips. These results showed that our novel KD measurement method has high levels of reproducibility and precision. As for the relationship between KD measurement and lip closure force in children, some correlations were observed, which were similar to previous studies. We consider that the KD measurement method is potentially effective for clinical applications.
