Comparison of cone-beam computed tomography and periapical radiography in predicting treatment decision for periapical lesions: a clinical study.
Objectives. To compare the ability of endodontists to determine the size of apical pathological lesions and select the most appropriate choice of treatment based on lesions' projected image characteristics using 2 D and 3 D images. Study Design. Twenty-four subjects were selected. Radiographic examination of symptomatic study teeth with an intraoral periapical radiograph revealed periapical lesions equal to or greater than 3 mm in the greatest diameter. Cone-beam Computed tomography (CBCT) images were made of the involved teeth after the intraoral periapical radiograph confirmed the size of lesion to be equal to greater than 3 mm. Six observers (endodontists) viewed both the periapical and CBCT images. Upon viewing each of the images from the two imaging modalities, observers (1) measured lesion size and (2) made decisions on treatment based on each radiograph. Chi-square test was used to look for differences in the choice of treatment among observers. Results. No significant difference was noted in the treatment plan selected by observers using the two modalities (χ(2)(3) = .036, P > 0.05). Conclusion. Lesion size and choice of treatment of periapical lesions based on CBCT radiographs do not change significantly from those made on the basis of 2 D radiographs.
Department of Biomedical and Diagnostic Sciences, University of Detroit Mercy School of Dentistry, 2700 Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, Detroit, MI 48208, USA.
Ashok
A
Balasundaram
Punit
P
Shah
Michael M
MM
Hoen
Michelle A
MA
Wheater
Josef S
JS
Bringas
Arnold
A
Gartner
James R
JR
Geist