title: Cone-beam computed tomography in assessment of periodontal ligament space: in vitro study on artificial tooth model.
abstract: The aim of this in vitro study was to compare cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) to conventional radiography (RG) in the assessment of the periodontal ligament space. A phantom with a variable "artificial" periodontal ligament space (0, 100, 200, 300, and 400 microm) was used as a model. The examinations were performed simultaneously with RG and NewTom 9000 digital volume tomograph. Assorted after increasing widths, 15 RGs and 15 CBCT images were presented for judgment to 20 dentists (DD), 20 dental assistants, and 20 dental students. Several weeks later, the same images were randomly mixed and presented to the same 20 DD again. The trial shows that RG gaps wider than 200 microm could be correctly identified by all participants with an accuracy of nearly 100%. A significant difference was observed between the modalities (p<0.05 and p<0.001) where conventional RGs performed better than CBCT for assessment of periodontal ligament space. Interobserver variation in relation to each technique was evaluated and no significant difference was found (p>0.05). In subjective evaluations of image quality with CBCT, the results were basically inferior for images of artificial periodontal ligament space, regardless of the experience of the observers.
authors.affiliation: Department of Periodontology, Faculty of Dentistry, Gazi University, Biskek caddesi 84.sokak, Emek 06510, Ankara, Turkey. nurdan@gazi.edu.tr
authors.forename: Nurdan
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Ozmeric
authors.forename: Irina
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Kostioutchenko
authors.forename: Georg
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Hägler
authors.forename: Matthias
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Frentzen
authors.forename: Pia-Merete
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Jervøe-Storm
mesh_terms: D054893:Cone-Beam Computed Tomography; D003765:Models, Dental; D010513:Periodontal Ligament / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D019047:Phantoms, Imaging; D011861:Radiography, Dental; D014093:Tooth, Artificial