Evaluation of imaging reformation for root and pulp canal shapes of permanent teeth using a cone beam computed tomography

Hong, Jong Hyun; Kim, Gyu Tae; Choi, Yong Suk; Hwang, Eui Hwan

Abstract

PURPOSE: To estimate the shape of root and pulp canal using a dental cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) and to evaluate the accuracy of imaging reformation.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
CBCT images were obtained with incisors, premolars, and molars as the destination by using PSR 9000NTM Dental CT system (Asahi Roentgen Ind. Co., Ltd, Kyoto, Japan) and i-CAT (Imaging Sciences International, Inc, USA) cone beam CT unit that have different kind of detector and field of view, and compared these with the shape and the size of actual root and root canal.
RESULTS
When the measuring value of cone beam computed tomography concerning to each root's bucco-lingual diameter and mesio-distal diameter was compared with the value of the actual root, it reveals an error range -0.49 ~+0.63 mm at PSR900N and -0.97~+1.14 mm at i-CAT(P.0.05). It was possible to identify and measure PSR 9000NTM Dental CT system to the limit 0.48+/-0.06 mm (P.0.05) and i-CAT CBCT to the limit 0.86+/-0.09 mm (P.0.05) on estimating the size and the shape of root canal. Two kinds of CBCT images revealed the useful reproducibility to estimate the shape of root, but there was the difference to estimate the shape of root according to apparatus. The reproducibility of root shape in the image of three-dimensions at PSR 900N is low such as 0.65 mm in a case of minute root canal.
CONCLUSIONS
CBCT images revealed higher accuracy of the imaging reformation for root and pulp and clinically CBCT is a useful diagnostic tool for the assessment of root and canal. However, there are different qualities of imaging reformation according to CBCT apparatus and limitation of reproducibility for minute root canals.