Accuracy of Cone-beam Computed Tomography and Periapical Radiography in Apical Periodontitis Diagnosis

Introduction

This study aimed to investigate the correlation and the agreement between periapical radiography (PR) and cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) correlating to histologic findings in the diagnosis of apical periodontitis (AP).

Methods

One hundred thirty-four premolar root canals from 10 dogs were treated after AP induction. Four months later, the animals were killed, and standard digital PRs were obtained. The area of AP was measured by using ImageJ software. CBCT (i-CAT) images from each arch were obtained, and AP area and volume were measured by using Osiri-X software. The apical inflammatory infiltrate was evaluated under light microscopy. The correlation between imaging methods was evaluated by using the Pearson coefficient. The Bland-Altman method was used to assess the agreement between PR and CBCT data. The Spearman coefficient was used to correlate the imaging data and histologic findings.

Results

Despite a strong correlation between PR and CBCT areas, the agreement limits were very broad (95% limits of agreement, 0.19–1.08). PR only measured, on average, 63% of CBCT values. Although there was a strong correlation between PR area and CBCT volume, the Bland-Altman method suggests that the larger the CBCT volume, the more underestimated the PR value. When APs had a volume smaller than 6 mm³, the PR estimation of CBCT data was unpredictable. A positive correlation was found for PR area, CBCT area, CBCT volume, and histology data.

Conclusions

The diagnosis of AP based on PR data is clinically limited, and it should not be used for scientific investigations.     

Outcome of Root Canal Treatment in Dogs Determined by Periapical Radiography and Cone-Beam Computed Tomography Scans

The purpose of this study was to compare the favorable outcome of root canal treatment determined by periapical radiographs (PRs) and cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans. Ninety-six roots of dogs' teeth were used to form four groups (n= 24). In group 1, root canal treatments were performed in healthy teeth. Root canals in groups 2 through 4 were infected until apical periodontitis (AP) was radiographically confirmed. Roots with AP were treated by one-visit therapy in group 2, by two-visit therapy in group 3, and left untreated in group 4. The radiolucent area in the PRs and the volume of CBCT-scanned periapical lesions were measured before and 6 months after the treatment. In groups 1, 2, and 3, a favorable outcome (lesions absent or reduced) was shown in 57 (79%) roots using PRs but only in 25 (35%) roots using CBCT scans (p = 0.0001). Unfavorable outcomes occurred more frequently after one-visit therapy than two-visit therapy when determined by CBCT scans (p = 0.023).     

Mandibular Incisive Canal: Cone Beam Computed Tomography

Purpose: Panoramic radiography is often used to analyze the anatomical structure of the teeth, jaws, and temporomandibular joints. Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) imaging allows multiple axial slices of the image to be obtained through these anatomical structures. The aim of this study was to assess CBCT compared with panoramic radiography to verify the presence, location, and dimensions of the mandibular incisive canal. Materials and Methods: CBCT scan images and panoramic radiographs of 89 subjects were compared for the presence of the mandibular incisive canal, its location, size, and anterior‐posterior length. The distance between the incisive canal and the buccal and lingual plate of the alveolar bone, and the distance from the canal to the inferior border of the mandible and the tooth apex were also measured. A paired t‐test was used to calculate any significant difference between the two imaging techniques. Results: Eighty‐three percent of the CBCT scans showed the presence of the incisive canal, as did 11% of the panoramic radiographs. The range of the incisive canal diameter, as seen in the CBCT scans, was from 0.4 × 0.4 mm to 4.6 × 3.2 mm. The mean length of the canal was 7 ± 3.8 mm. The distance from the inferior border of the mandible to the canal was 10.2 ± 2.4 mm, and the mean distance to the buccal plate was 2.4 mm. The apex–canal distance (in dentate subjects) was 5.3 mm. Conclusion: The presence, location, and dimensions of the mandibular incisive canal are better determined by CBCT imaging than by panoramic radiography.     

应用锥形束CT对成人上颌前磨牙牙根和根管系统形态的研究

目的：运用锥形束CT（CBCT）观察中国人群上颌前磨牙的牙根和根管系统的解剖形态,为临床根管治疗提供影像学依据。方法：选择200名患者的双侧上颌前磨牙（上颌第一前磨牙、上颌第二前磨牙各358颗）的CBCT扫描数据,使用NNT软件分析上颌第一、第二前磨牙的牙根数、根管数、根管分型以及双侧对称情况。结果：上颌第一前磨牙主要为单根（65.92%）和双根（33.80%）。上颌第二前磨牙主要为单根（93.85%）。上颌第一前磨牙的根管系统主要为双根管（84.36%）。上颌第二前磨牙的根管系统单、双根管比例接近（分别为52.79%和46.08%）。上颌第一前磨牙主要根管分型为：Ⅳ型（48.32%）、Ⅱ型（24.30%）和Ⅰ型（12.56%）。上颌第二前磨牙主要根管分型为：Ⅰ型（51.68%）、Ⅱ型（21.51%）和Ⅳ型（14.25%）。上颌第一、第二前磨牙的根管分型左右对称（对称率分别为74.57%和81.29%）。上颌前磨牙根管系统的主要变异为：管间交通支、颊根C形根管和多根管（树形根管或神经根样根管）。结论：上颌第一、第二前磨牙的根管系统主要为单根管和双根管。术前了解根管形态的变异是治疗成功的关键因素。     

Accuracy of Periapical Radiography and Cone-Beam Computed Tomography Scans in Diagnosing Apical Periodontitis Using Histopathological Findings as a Gold Standard

IntroductionThe aim of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of two imaging methods in diagnosing apical periodontitis (AP) using histopathological findings as a gold standard.MethodsThe periapex of 83 treated or untreated roots of dogs' teeth was examined using periapical radiography (PR), cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans, and histology. Sensitivity, specificity, predictive values, and accuracy of PR and CBCT diagnosis were calculated.ResultsPR detected AP in 71% of roots, a CBCT scan detected AP in 84%, and AP was histologically diagnosed in 93% (p = 0.001). Overall, sensitivity was 0.77 and 0.91 for PR and CBCT, respectively. Specificity was 1 for both. Negative predictive value was 0.25 and 0.46 for PR and CBCT, respectively. Positive predictive value was 1 for both. Diagnostic accuracy (true positives + true negatives) was 0.78 and 0.92 for PR and CBCT (p = 0.028), respectively.ConclusionA CBCT scan was more sensitive in detecting AP compared with PR, which was more likely to miss AP when it was still present.     

Periapical Radiography versus Cone Beam Computed Tomography in Endodontic Disease Detection: A Free-response,Factorial Study

AimTo assess and compare reader performance in interpreting digital periapical (PA) radiography and cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) in endodontic disease detection, using a free-response, factorial model.Materials and MethodsA reader performance study of 2 image test sets was undertaken using a factorial, free-response design, accounting for the independent variables: case type, case severity, reader type, and imaging modality. Twenty-two readers interpreted 60 PA and 60 CBCT images divided into 5 categories: diseased–subtle, diseased–moderate, diseased–obvious, nondiseased–subtle, and nondiseased–obvious. Lesion localization fraction, specificity, false positive (FP) marks, and the weighted alternative free-response receiver operating characteristic figure of merit were calculated.ResultsCBCT had greater specificity than PA in the obvious nondiseased cases (P = .01) and no significant difference in the subtle nondiseased category. Weighted alternative free-response receiver operating characteristic values were higher for PA than CBCT in the subtle diseased (P = .02) and moderate diseased (P = .01) groups with no significant difference between in the obvious diseased groups. CBCT had higher mean FPs than PA (P < .05) in subtle diseased cases. Mean lesion localization fraction in the moderate diseased group was higher in PA than CBCT (P = .003). No relationships were found between clinical experience and all diagnostic performance measures, except for in the obvious diseased CBCT group, where increasing experience was associated mean FP marks (P = .04).ConclusionsReader performance in the detection of endodontic disease is better with PA radiography than CBCT. Clinical experience does not impact upon the accuracy of interpretation of both PA radiography and CBCT.     

Cone Beam Computed Tomography for Assessment of Root Length and Marginal Bone Level during Orthodontic Treatment

Objective:To evaluate the accuracy and precision of cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) with regard to measurements of root length and marginal bone level in vitro and in vivo during the course of orthodontic treatment.Materials and Methods:Thirteen patients (aged 12–18 years) from an ongoing study and a dry skull were examined with CBCT using multiplanar reformatting for measurements of root length and marginal bone level. For in vivo evaluation of changes in root length, an index according to Malmgren et al was used, along with a modification of this method.Results:The in vitro mean difference between physical and radiographic measurements was 0.05 mm (SD 0.75) for root length and −0.04 mm (SD 0.54) for marginal bone level. In vivo the error was <0.35 mm for root length determinations and <0.40 mm for marginal bone level assessments.Conclusion:Despite changes in tooth positions, the CBCT technique yields a high level of reproducibility, enhancing its usefulness in orthodontic research.     

Method to Evaluate Inflammatory Root Resorption by Using Cone Beam Computed Tomography

IntroductionThe aim of this study was to evaluate a method to measure inflammatory root resorption (IRR) by using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans.MethodsIRR sites were classified according to root third and root surface, and IRR extension was measured on the axial, transverse, and tangent views of 3-dimensional CBCT scans by using the Planimp software. A 5-point (0–4) scoring system was used to measure the largest extension of root resorption. A total of 48 periapical radiographs and CBCT scans originally taken from 40 patients were evaluated. The kappa coefficient was used to assess interobserver agreement and the χ² test to determine significant differences between the imaging methods. The level of significance was set at α = 1%.ResultsIRR was detected in 68.8% (83 root surfaces) of the radiographs and 100% (154 root surfaces) of the CBCT scans (P < .001). The extension of IRR was >1–4 mm in 95.8% of the CBCT images and in 52.1% of the images obtained by using the conventional method (P < .001).ConclusionsCBCT seems to be useful in the evaluation of IRR, and its diagnostic performance was better than that of periapical radiography.     

上颌第一、第二恒磨牙牙根和根管系统的锥形束CT研究

目的：运用锥形束CT（CBCT）观察中国人群双侧上颌第一、第二磨牙的牙根和根管系统的解剖形态,为临床根管治疗提供依据。方法：选择200名患者的双侧上颌第一、第二恒磨牙（上颌第一恒磨牙354颗、上颌第二恒磨牙360颗）的CBCT扫描数据,使用NNT软件分析上颌第一、第二恒磨牙的牙根数、根管数、根管分型以及双侧对称情况。结果：上颌第一、第二磨牙主要为三根（99.44%和84.44%）。上颌第二磨牙的单根和双根较多见（15.28%）,其根管系统形态复杂,在根尖区有融合趋势。上颌第一磨牙的根管系统主要为3根四根管（78.97%）。上颌第二磨牙的三根管和四根管发现率接近（分别为47.37%和51.64%）。上颌第一磨牙的近颊根管系统主要根管分型为：Ⅳ型（57.79%）、Ⅱ型（19.83%）和Ⅰ型（15.58%）。上颌第二磨牙的近颊根管系统主要根管分型为：Ⅰ型（48.14%）、Ⅳ型（30.43%）和Ⅱ型（17.39%）。上颌第一、第二磨牙的远颊根和腭根主要为单根单根管,存在少量和罕见的变异。上颌第一、第二磨牙近颊根的根管数目和根管分型左右对称。结论：上颌第一磨牙近颊根管系统变异普遍存在,MB2根管为其主要的变异形式。上颌第二磨牙牙根数目和根管形态变异类型多,单根牙和双根牙的根管走向复杂多变。CBCT可以为识别根管形态提供准确依据。     

老年人下颌磨牙牙根及根管的锥形束CT研究

目的：利用锥形束CT观察分析老年人下颌磨牙的牙根、根管数目和形态。方法：选择能够配合检查,并在扫描过程中头部保持静止状况的老年人,对其牙齿进行锥形束CT扫描,对扫描图像进行三维重建和选择不同方向的断层观察记录下颌磨牙的牙根和根管。结果：锤形束CT检查老年人166例,下颌磨牙共532颗。下颌磨牙近中根均为单根,远中双根仅发生于下颌第一磨牙,而C形根则仅发生于第二磨牙。近中根以两根管为主在下颌第一磨牙和第二磨牙分别占有95．26％和50．38％;远中根以一根管为主在第一磨牙和第二磨牙分别占有64．60％和56．97％,C形根管的发生率为22．48％。结论：下颌磨牙牙根和根管的变化主要发生在第一磨牙的远中根和第二磨牙的C形根及C形根管。     

Accuracy of Digital Periapical Radiography and Cone-beam Computed Tomography for Diagnosis of Natural and Simulated External Root Resorption

Introduction

The aim of this study was to compare the sensitivity and specificity of digital periapical radiography and cone-beam computed tomographic (CBCT) imaging in the detection of natural and simulated external root resorptions (ERRs) with micro–computed tomographic (micro-CT) imaging as the reference standard.

慢性根尖周炎一次性根管治疗的临床疗效观察

目的：评价慢性根尖周炎一次性根管治疗的临床效果和可靠性。方法：选择患有慢性根尖周炎的直根管患牙200例,采用改良双敞技术和平衡力法预备根管,0．5％次氯酸钠及17％EDTA冲洗,随机均分为两组：一次性根管治疗组在上述操作完成后立即行牙胶尖加树脂类封闭剂AHplus侧方加压术充填根管;多次性根管治疗组根管内封入氢氧化钙糊剂复诊,待无症状后再行根充。治疗结束后1d、7d、30d随访记录患者的疼痛反应。1年后进行临床及X线复查,计算每组根管治疗的成功及失败率,并进行统计学检验。结果：有94例患者回访,一次性根管治疗组43例,多次根管治疗51例。根管治疗术后1d疼痛发生率一次性治疗组高于多次性组,且有统计学差异,7d、30d的疼痛发生率两组间无明显差异。1年后复查两组的成功率无统计学差异。一次性根管治疗组的前牙与后牙治疗成功率间无统计学差异。结论：慢性根尖周炎一次性根管治疗术后疼痛发生率较多次法高,但远期疗效等同于多次法者。     

Detection of Vertical Root Fractures in Endodontically Treated Teeth by a Cone Beam Computed Tomography Scan

Our aim was to compare the accuracy of cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans and periapical radiographs (PRs) in detecting vertical root fractures (VRFs) and to assess the influence of root canal filling (RCF) on fracture visibility. Eighty teeth were endodontically prepared and divided into four groups. The teeth in groups A and B were artificially fractured, and teeth in groups C and D were not. Groups A and C were root filled. Four observers evaluated the CBCT scans and PR images. Sensitivity and specificity for VRF detection of CBCT were 79.4% and 92.5% and for PR were 37.1% and 95%, respectively. The specificity of CBCT was reduced (p = 0.032) by the presence of RCF, but its overall accuracy was not influenced (p = 0.654). Both the sensitivity (p = 0.006) and overall accuracy (p = 0.008) of PRs were reduced by the presence of RCF. The results showed an overall higher accuracy for CBCT (0.86) scans than PRs (0.66) for detecting VRF.