Cone-Beam CT Diagnostic Applications: Caries, Periodontal Bone Assessment, and Endodontic Applications
Section snippets
Caries diagnosis
The detection of proximal and occlusal surface caries by conventional intraoral 2D methods has demonstrated only low-to-moderate sensitivity, but slightly better specificity, and high observer variability [20], [21], [22], [23], [24], [25], [26]. Pervious extraoral imaging methods for caries detection have met with limited success and dubious clinical applications. CBCT imaging appears to be the best prospect for improving the detection and depth assessment of caries in approximal and occlusal
Periodontal applications
In his 2004 summary of periodontal imaging methods in Periodontology, Mol states, “Relatively few technologies have emerged to address the critical needs in periodontal diagnosis” [11]. He goes on to point out that although digital imaging has added value to intraoral imaging, an increase in diagnostic capabilities has not been one of the benefits. Mol discusses the limitations of extraoral imaging (panoramic) with its associated drawbacks but does point out the usefulness in association with
Endodontic applications
It is in the area of endodontic applications that the literature has proved most fruitful to date. Endodontic applications include the diagnosis of periapical lesions due to pulpal inflammation, visualization of canals, elucidation of internal and external resorption, and detection of root fractures. As is the case with the previous two categories, most published articles are either case reports or in vitro studies.
Current 2D technologies are film and digital based. Stavropoulos and Wenzel [46]
Summary
In summary, several important points should be considered:
- 1.
Only a modest amount of research has been undertaken in the field of CBCT and dentoalveolar applications. Certainly, more in vivo and in vitro studies are needed for this field to reach full maturation. More clinical studies are needed, preferably random double blind clinical trials. In addition, the effect of motion needs to be assessed for all three categories of dentoalveolar tasks surveyed in this article.
- 2.
CBCT and caries research
References (60)
- et al.
In vitro assessment of cone beam local computed tomography for proximal caries detection
Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod
(2007) - et al.
TACT imaging of primary caries
Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod
(1997) - et al.
In vitro comparison of Kodak ultra-speed, Ektaspeed, and Ektaspeed plus, and Agfa M2 comfort dental x-ray films for the detection of caries
Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod
(1996) - et al.
Extra-oral imaging for proximal caries detection; bitewings vs. scanogram
Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod
(2004) - et al.
Evaluation of limited cone-beam volumetric imaging system: comparison with film radiography in detecting incipient proximal caries
Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod
(2007) - et al.
Periodontal probing in comparison by CT-scan
Int Dent J
(2001) - et al.
Diagnostic validity (or acuity) of 2D CCD versus 3D CBCT-images for assessing periodontal breakdown
Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod
(2007) - et al.
Evaluation of high-resolution cone-beam computed tomography in the detection of simulated interradicular bone lesions
Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod
(2007) - et al.
Comparative localized linear accuracy of small-field cone-beam CT and multislice CT for alveolar bone measurements
Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod
(2008) - et al.
Digital and advanced imaging in endodontics: a review
J Endod
(2007)