New Spacing Classification : The Spacing Index (TSI): A diagnostic classification for spaced dentitions(Summary)
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In a newly published study (SAGE Journals), Minnie Lyons-Coleman and colleagues present The Spacing Index (TSI)—a novel classification system classifying spaced dentitions as mild (0–4 mm), moderate (5–8 mm), or severe (>8 mm)
This investigation was carried out at the Orthodontic Department of Tameside and Glossop NHS Foundation Trust in Manchester, UK
A range of cases with different amounts of spacing in each arch was chosen.
A total of 53 anonymised study models were selected as a convenience sample of patients attending hypodontia multidisciplinary clinics.
The weighted kappa score was 0.79 (substantial agreement) between the gold standard rater and the test raters for the mild, moderate and severe TSI categories. The weighted kappa scores were greater than 0.80, demonstrating almost perfect intra-observer reliability over time.
The proposed TSI has been shown to be valid and reliable and could be used to categorise spacing during routine orthodontic assessment.
