Comparison of cone-beam computerized tomography and intraoral radiographs for determination of the periodontal ligament in a variable phantom.
OBJECTIVE
This in vitro study assessed the visualization quality of the periodontal ligament space in cone-beam computerized tomography (CBCT) compared with intraoral radiographs (CR).


METHODS
A phantom mimicking variable periodontal ligament spaces (0-0.42 mm) was radiographed using CBCT and CR. Fifteen datasets of each modality were randomly mixed and presented twice to 19 experienced examiners and once to 19 inexperienced examiners.


RESULTS
Zero-millimeter gaps were recognized in 84.4% of CBCT and in 81.6% of CR images. On CBCT scans, gaps of 0.19 mm were identified with an accuracy of 93%-100% compared with 70.2%-81.7% using CR. Experienced examiners recognized gaps of >or=0.19 mm on CBCT repeatedly with nearly 100% accuracy.


CONCLUSIONS
Compared with CR, CBCT provides better visualization of simulated periodontal ligament space in this phantom.
Jervøe-Storm
Pia-Merete
PM
Department of Periodontology, Operative and Preventive Dentistry, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany. storm@uni-bonn.de
Hagner
Martin
M
Neugebauer
Jörg
J
Ritter
Lutz
L
Zöller
Joachim E
JE
Jepsen
Søren
S
Frentzen
Matthias
M
D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D054893:Cone-Beam Computed Tomography; D006801:Humans; D010513:Periodontal Ligament / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D019047:Phantoms, Imaging; D011861:Radiography, Dental / Q000379:methods*