title: In vitro analysis of extracted dens invaginatus using various radiographic imaging techniques.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Dens Invaginatus (DI) is a rare malformation of the teeth, showing a broad spectrum of morphologic variations. The aim of this study was to perform in vitro radiographic analyses of three extracted dens invaginatus (DI) teeth with complex root anatomy using plain radiographs, CBCT, MRI and micro CT techniques.
  
  
  METHODS
  Study design: Three maxillary lateral incisors (A, B and C) from two patients were extracted due to poor prognosis and were radiographically analysed. Initially, conventional two dimensional digital radiographs were taken. Subsequently CBCT, micro CT and MRI analyses were performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  According to the Schulze and Brand system of classification, teeth A, B and C were classified as A2, B3 and B2 respectively. To detect the relationship between the invagination to the oral cavity and pulp chamber, conventional two dimensional radiographs were of no help. CBCT and MRI images were found to be complementary to each other but provided lesser structural detail than micro CT images.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Reporting on these three DI teeth, normal conventional radiographs did not provide detailed structural information about the malformation due to geometric distortion and lack of information. Even though Oehlers classification system is the most widely used, classification by Schulze and Brand is more applicable in rare and deviant teeth.
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatric Dentistry and Special Care, PaeCaMeD research, Ghent University.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rajasekharan
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatric Dentistry and Special Care, PaeCaMeD research, Ghent University.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Martens
authors.affiliation: Medical Imaging and Signal Processing, Infinity Lab, Ghent University, UZ Ghent.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Vanhove
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Dentistry, University of Washington, USA.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Aps
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D054893:Cone-Beam Computed Tomography / Q000379:methods; D003719:Dens in Dente / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D003743:Dental Enamel / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D003782:Dental Pulp / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D003786:Dental Pulp Cavity / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods; D007180:Incisor / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods; D019252:Radiography, Dental, Digital / Q000379:methods; D019227:Tooth Apex / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D019228:Tooth Crown / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014092:Tooth Root / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D055114:X-Ray Microtomography / Q000379:methods