Common orthodontic appliances cause artifacts that degrade the diagnostic quality of CBCT images.
OBJECTIVE
This study evaluates artifacts generated by orthodontic brackets in CBCT images.


METHODS
Cadaver heads with restoration free dentitions were prepared. CBCT scans with four orthodontic bracket materials utilizing thermoplastic carriers and a control were compared in three phases.


RESULTS
Stainless steel brackets caused statistically significant (P<0.0001) differences from the control in the three phases.


CONCLUSIONS
These observations support the hypothesis that metallic and nonmetallic orthodontic brackets interfere with the diagnostic quality of CBCT images.
Sanders
Matthew A
MA
Jerry L. Pettis Memorial VA Medical Center, Loma Linda, CA, USA. msandersdds@yahoo.com
Hoyjberg
Christian
C
Chu
Curtis B
CB
Leggitt
V Leroy
VL
Kim
Jay S
JS
D016477:Artifacts; D002102:Cadaver; D002516:Ceramics; D054893:Cone-Beam Computed Tomography; D003722:Dental Alloys; D003764:Dental Materials; D003804:Dentin / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D016910:Orthodontic Brackets; D010969:Plastics; D011786:Quality Control; D011856:Radiographic Image Enhancement; D013193:Stainless Steel; D014025:Titanium
D003722:Dental Alloys; D003764:Dental Materials; D010969:Plastics; D013193:Stainless Steel; D014025:Titanium