title: Reliability of CBCT and other radiographic methods in preoperative evaluation of lower third molars.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to compare the reliability of cone-beam computerized tomography (CBCT) with that of other radiographic methods in preoperative radiographic determination of the number of roots of lower third molars and their relationship to the inferior alveolar canal (IAC).
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty-two teeth were clinically studied and imaged using CBCT and other imaging methods-panoramic radiography, multiprojection narrow-beam radiography (MNBR), and cross-sectional tomography. Statistical analysis (kappa values) was used to compare the diagnoses of 2 trained oral radiologists and the radiologic diagnoses with the findings at operation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Cone-beam CT revealed the number of roots of teeth more reliably than panoramic radiographs. CBCT examination was highly reliable in locating the IAC, whereas MNBR was unreliable and cross-sectional tomography fell between the two. With cross-sectional tomography, the IAC was noninterpretable in one-third of the cases.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We recommend CBCT examination for preoperative radiographic evaluation of complicated impacted lower third molars.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Helsinki University Central Hospital, Helsinki, Finland. anni.suomalainen@hus.fi
authors.forename: Anni
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Suomalainen
authors.forename: Irja
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Ventä
authors.forename: Mika
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mattila
authors.forename: Lauri
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Turtola
authors.forename: Tapio
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Vehmas
authors.forename: Jaakko S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Peltola
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D054893:Cone-Beam Computed Tomography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008334:Mandible; D008340:Mandibular Nerve / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008964:Molar, Third / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D015588:Observer Variation; D011300:Preoperative Care; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011861:Radiography, Dental / Q000379:methods*; D014081:Tooth Extraction; D014092:Tooth Root / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D014095:Tooth, Impacted / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D055815:Young Adult