title: Volumetric pulp changes after orthodontic treatment determined by cone-beam computed tomography.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The purpose of this study was to observe and evaluate 3-dimensional pulp cavity changes during orthodontic treatment.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eighty-seven patients formed the study sample and were divided into an experimental group (48 patients) and a control group (39 patients). Cone-beam computed tomographic (CBCT) records were obtained before the start of the treatment (T0) and after space closure for the experimental group, whereas for the control group CBCT images were obtained approximately 17-18 months (T1) after obtaining the first image (T0). CBCT data were reconstructed with surface and volume rendering software (Mimics; Materialise, Leuven, Belgium), and the volumetric images were modified to display the teeth from various orientations. Six anterior teeth were segmented and their pulps isolated. Paired t test was used to check for statistical significance.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The difference in the pulp volume was statistically significant at P < .05 for all the anterior teeth in the experimental group and at P < .05 for the right canine, P < .05 for the right and left lateral incisors, and P < .05 for the left central in the control group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Orthodontic treatment in the experimental group produced a significant decrease in the size of the pulp, which was statistically significant.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthodontics and DentofacialOrthopedics, MS Ramaiah Dental College and Hospital, MSR Nagar, Bangalore, Karnataka, India. Electronic address: shivanand85@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Shivanand
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Venkatesh
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, SDM College of Dental Sciences, Sattur, Dharwad, Karnataka, India.
authors.forename: Shreya
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ajmera
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, SDM College of Dental Sciences, Sattur, Dharwad, Karnataka, India.
authors.forename: Sanjay V
authors.initials: SV
authors.lastname: Ganeshkar
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D054893:Cone-Beam Computed Tomography / Q000379:methods*; D003481:Cuspid / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D003782:Dental Pulp / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D003786:Dental Pulp Cavity / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods; D007180:Incisor / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008297:Male; D019516:Orthodontic Space Closure / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*
keywords: Cone-beam computed tomography; mimics; pulp cavity; tertiary dentin