Artifacts in cone-beam computed tomography of a post and core restoration: a case report.
Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) has been accepted as a useful tool for diagnosis and treatment in endodontics. Despite a growing trend toward using CBCT in endodontic practice the CBCT images should be interpreted carefully. This case report presents a case that showed radiolucency inside and around a tooth which was free of pathologic changes under a dental operative microscope and conventional radiographs. A male patient was referred to an endodontic office for evaluation of radiolucency inside and around tooth #21 in his CBCT images. The post and crown over the tooth was removed and the tooth was observed under a dental operative microscope. Clinical examination as well as direct observation under a dental operative microscope showed no pathological lesions inside and around the tooth. The misdiagnosis was based on an artifact on CBCT. Despite the advantages of CBCT images as a great radiographic aid in endodontic practice, in the presence of metallic structures such as post and core the images should be interpreted with caution.
Oral and Dental Diseases Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran.
Masoud
M
Parirokh
Karim
K
Ardjomand
Hamed
H
Manochehrifar