Diagnostic value of tuned-aperture computed tomography versus conventional dentoalveolar imaging in assessment of impacted teeth.
OBJECTIVE
This clinical study compares the diagnostic value of interactive 3-dimensional tuned-aperture computed tomography (TACT) with conventional dentoalveolar radiographic examinations of impacted maxillary incisors.


METHODS
TACT was compared variously with conventional intraoral, occlusal, rotational panoramic, and lateral cephalographic examinations. Sixteen dentists independently evaluated the clarity of anatomic structures of impacted anterior maxillary teeth and surrounding tissues. Estimation of confidence in clinical assessment of the patient was made together with a determination of the diagnostic potential of the studied modalities for altering treatment plans.


RESULTS
TACT was found to significantly improve depiction of the buccal/palatal position of the impacted tooth and its relationship with adjacent teeth (P < .0001) irrespective of the availability of lateral cephalograms. Subjective assessments for clinical decision making approximated a 10% increase in confidence ratings with TACT. The added diagnostic value with TACT varied from case to case.


CONCLUSIONS
The interactive 3-dimensional TACT display was perceived to be more informative for assessing impacted teeth and their relation to surrounding tissues than conventional methods in some cases but not in others. TACT altered treatment-option selection in some instances.
Yamamoto
Kazuhiro
K
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Dental Radiology, Tokyo Dental College, Chiba City, Chiba, Japan. kazyama@tdc.ac.jp
Hayakawa
Yoshihiko
Y
Kousuge
Yuji
Y
Wakoh
Mamoru
M
Sekiguchi
Hiroshi
H
Yakushiji
Masashi
M
Farman
Allan G
AG
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002508:Cephalometry; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007180:Incisor / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008297:Male; D008437:Maxilla; D011861:Radiography, Dental / Q000379:methods*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*; D014095:Tooth, Impacted / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*