First molar radicular bone near the maxillary sinus: a comparison of CBCT analysis and gross anatomic dissection for small bony measurement.
OBJECTIVE
This study assessed agreement of cone-beam computerized tomography (CBCT) measurements against those obtained by gross dissection and physical calipers for dimensions of maxillary bone around first molar roots in cadaveric specimens.


METHODS
A total of 37 human maxilla pairs with 69 first molars were analyzed by CBCT with a resolution of 200 microm and the results compared with gross dissection. Matched data sets of 414 data points (6 data points per tooth) were compared using Bland-Altman statistics. An operational definition of clinical accuracy was proposed.


RESULTS
The data sets displayed a Pearson correlation coefficient of r = 0.85. Analysis revealed a positive bias for CBCT of 0.4 mm with a standard deviation of 1.1 mm relative to gross dissection. Less bone around first molar roots was demonstrated than reported in available literature.


CONCLUSIONS
High-resolution CBCT measurements were acceptable for clinical accuracy and study of the maxillary sinus.
Howe
Robert B
RB
Department of Preventive and Restorative Dental Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA. robert.howe@ucsf.edu
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000539:Alveolar Process / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D054893:Cone-Beam Computed Tomography / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D008437:Maxilla / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D008443:Maxillary Sinus / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D008963:Molar / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D009929:Organ Size; D012016:Reference Values; D014092:Tooth Root / Q000033:anatomy & histology*