title: The influence of metallic posts in the detection of vertical root fractures using different imaging examinations.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the influence of metallic posts in the detection of simulated vertical root fractures (VRFs) using the following imaging examinations: 2 cone beam CT (CBCT) systems [CBCT1: NewTom(®) 3G (QR Srl, Verona, Italy) and CBCT2: i-CAT Next Generation(®) (Imaging Sciences International, Hatfield, PA)] and film and digital radiographs. Additionally, the influence of the orientation of the fracture line in the detection of VRFs was evaluated.
  
  
  METHODS
  100, human, single-rooted endodontically treated premolars were divided into 5 groups (Group 1: with posts and buccolingual VRFs, Group 2: with posts and mesiodistal VRFs, Group 3: without posts and with buccolingual VRFs, Group 4: without posts and with mesiodistal VRFs, and Group 5: with posts and without VRFs). The premolars were placed in human mandibles and imaged using the four examination modalities. The sensitivity and the specificity of each examination in the experimental groups were calculated. The data were analysed using Student's t-test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The presence of metallic posts reduced the sensitivity of the CBCT1 system (p = 0.0244). Digital radiographs and the CBCT1 and CBCT2 systems had a higher sensitivity in detecting buccolingual fractures in teeth with posts, whereas film and digital radiographs had a higher sensitivity in detecting buccolingual fractures in teeth without posts (p < 0.05). The CBCT1 examination demonstrated the lowest specificity (p < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The presence of metallic posts did not influence the sensitivity of most of the examinations, excluding the CBCT1 system. The fracture line orientation may influence VRF detection.
authors.affiliation: Department of Endodontics, Pontifical Catholic University of Paraná, Brazil;
authors.forename: S J M
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Jakobson
authors.forename: V P D
authors.initials: VP
authors.lastname: Westphalen
authors.forename: U X
authors.initials: UX
authors.lastname: Silva Neto
authors.forename: L F
authors.initials: LF
authors.lastname: Fariniuk
authors.forename: A G D
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Schroeder
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Carneiro
mesh_terms: D001641:Bicuspid / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D054893:Cone-Beam Computed Tomography / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003722:Dental Alloys; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015588:Observer Variation; D011176:Post and Core Technique / Q000295:instrumentation*; D019252:Radiography, Dental, Digital / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014082:Tooth Fractures / Q000145:classification / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D014092:Tooth Root / Q000293:injuries*; D019553:Tooth, Nonvital / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014962:X-Ray Film / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
chemical_list: D003722:Dental Alloys
keywords: cone beam computed tomography; digital radiographs; metallic post; radiographs; vertical root fractures