title: The accuracy of cone-beam computed tomography in assessing maxillary molar furcation involvement.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to investigate the accuracy of cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) in assessing maxillary molar furcation involvement (FI).
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifteen patients with generalized chronic periodontitis after initial therapy were recruited. CBCT was performed in maxillary molars with probing pocket depths of ≥6 mm and advanced FI, and CBCT images were analysed. Furcation surgery was performed in 20 maxillary molars. Lastly, intra-surgical FI assessments were compared with CBCT-based data.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Intra-surgical findings confirmed 82.4% of the CBCT data, with a weighted kappa of 0.917. The agreement between both assessments was the highest in buccal furcation entrances, followed by distopalatal and mesiopalatal furcation entrances. Of the four parameters tested of detailed root anatomy and furcation morphology, the mean length of the root trunk and the width of the furcation entrance revealed by CBCT were consistent with their respective intra-surgical values (p > 0.05). Horizontal bone loss and vertical bone loss were underestimated by CBCT relative to their respective intra-surgical classifications (p ≤ 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Cone-beam computed tomography images demonstrate a high accuracy in assessing the loss of periodontal tissue of the FI and root morphologies in maxillary molars.
authors.affiliation: Department of Periodontology, Outpatient Center, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Peking University, Beijing, China.
authors.forename: Jing
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Qiao
authors.forename: Shiying
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Jinyu
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Duan
authors.forename: Yong
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Yun
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Qiu
authors.forename: Changzhou
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.forename: Denggao
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Liu
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016301:Alveolar Bone Loss / Q000145:classification / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D000539:Alveolar Process / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D055113:Chronic Periodontitis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D054893:Cone-Beam Computed Tomography / Q000592:standards*; D003949:Diagnostic Techniques, Surgical; D005260:Female; D017823:Furcation Defects / Q000145:classification / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008437:Maxilla / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008963:Molar / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D010514:Periodontal Pocket / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D014092:Tooth Root / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging
keywords: cone-beam computed tomography; diagnostic tools; furcation involvement; periodontal; treatment planning