Cone Beam Computed Tomography In Detection Research Articles

Co-Occurrence of Taurodontism in Nonsyndromic Cleft Lip and Palate Patients in Subset of Indian Population: A Case-Control Study Using CBCT.

The present study aimed to assess the co-occurrence of taurodontism in nonsyndromic cleft lip and palate (NSCLP) patients in a subset of Indian population using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT). The study was a retrospective case–control kinds assessing 1500 CBCT scans over a period of 2 years; 67 scans out of 1500 showed cleft lip and palate (CLP). After fulfilling the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 38 subjects out of 67 comprised the case group; 80 randomly selected subjects constituted the control group. The first and second permanent molars in both the arches (8 teeth) of each subject were assessed for the presence and severity of taurodontism using the objective criteria. Statistical analysis was done using the χ2 test. Inter and intraobserver agreement was evaluated by Kappa statistics. 71.05% subjects showed taurodontism in case group, while 45% subjects showed its presence in control group; results being significant for both the groups. However, the comparison of number of teeth with taurodontism in the 2 groups came out to be statistically insignificant. Also no significant association of taurodontism was seen with gender or the different types of cleft ( P = .437). Hypotaurodontism was the most prevalent type. There was a higher prevalence of taurodontism in both groups which had been underestimated in the previous studies. This emphasizes the significance of the use of CBCT in detection of dental anomalies which would otherwise go undetected.

Detection of Vertical Root Fractures Using Cone-Beam Computed Tomography in the Presence and Absence of Gutta-Percha.

Background Vertical root fractures (VRFs) can significantly reduce dental prognosis. Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) offers better visualization of VRF than conventional radiography. However, gutta-percha creates artifacts in cone-beam CT (CBCT) images and reduces the diagnosis quality. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of CBCT in detection of VRF in presence and absence of gutta-percha in canals. Materials and Methods In this cross-sectional study, 50 extracted mandibular premolars were selected. After preparing the access cavity, canals were instrumented using step-back method, and gutta-percha #40 was placed afterwards. The fractures were created using electromechanical universal testing machine on 25 teeth. The teeth were randomly placed in dry mandibular dental sockets, and the first CBCTs were taken. Then the gutta-percha was removed, and the second CBCTs were taken. Results The results of Kappa coefficient between two observers in roots with and without gutta-percha were 0.644 and 0.830, respectively (p value ≤ 0.001). The sensitivity and specificity of VRF diagnosis in assessing gutta-percha filled canals were 32% and 68% for the first observer, respectively (Kappa < 0.000, p value = 1.000), and 40% and 68% for the second observer, respectively (Kappa = 0.080, p value = 0.556). The sensitivity and specificity of VRF diagnosis in assessing the empty canals (without gutta-percha) were 72% and 96% for the first observer, respectively (Kappa = 0.680, p value ≤ 0/001), and 72% and 96% for the second observer, respectively (Kappa = 0.680, p value ≤ 0/001). Conclusion The intracanal filling materials such as gutta-percha reduce the diagnostic ability of vertical root fractures. Hence, it is recommended to remove those materials from root canals before imaging to improve the diagnostic potential of CBCT.

Diagnostic value of cone-beam computed tomography and periapical radiography in detection of vertical root fracture.

Vertical root fracture (VRF) is the longitudinal fracture of the root in endodontically treated teeth. Considering the limitations of two-dimensional radiographic images in detection of VRF and introduction of cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT), this study was designed to find the sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of CBCT and periapical (PA) radiography in detection of VRFs. This was a cross-sectional in vitro study on 80 extracted human single canal teeth including 40 maxillary and 40 mandibular teeth. After standardized endodontic treatment of the roots, VRF was induced in half of the teeth in each group, and other half were left without fracture. Teeth were inserted in dry maxillary and mandibular alveoli. PA radiographs and CBCT images were taken from the specimens. Data were analyzed with SPSS software. The McNemar test was used to evaluate the sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of images, and kappa coefficient was used to assess the degree of agreement between the observers. The level of significance was set at 0.05. Sensitivity and specificity values of CBCT were 97.5% and 95%, respectively. However, for PA radiography the sensitivity and specificity were 67.5% and 92.5%, in order of appearance. Accuracy of CBCT (96.25%) and PA radiography (80%) in both jaws were significantly different (P=0.022). Two methods were not significantly different when testing specificity (P=0.298). This study showed that the sensitivity and accuracy of CBCT in detection of vertical root fracture are higher than periapical radiography. CBCT can be recommended to be used in detection of vertical root fractures.