title: Is it possible to diagnose caries under fixed partial dentures with cone beam computed tomography?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The goal of this study was to determine the possibility of detecting/diagnosing caries under fixed partial dentures using cone beam computed tomography.
  
  
  METHODS
  A range of teeth with grade 3 to 6 caries, according to International Caries Detection and Assessment System criteria, were selected. All teeth were prepared, and three different specimens- zirconia full-ceramic, lithium disilicate full-ceramic, and metal-supported ceramic crowns-were built for each tooth. Each specimen underwent scanning by cone beam computed tomography. Opacity values were recorded and evaluated using two-way analysis of variance. The Tukey test was performed for material and slice differences, and the t test for mean gray value differences, between caries and noncaries regions of each material.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Significant differences were detected with respect to horizontal location (anterior/posterior), restoration type (crown/bridge), material (zirconia/lithium disilicate/metal), and situation (caries/noncaries) (P < .001). Mean gray values of caries and noncaries regions were found to differ for each material. There were no significant differences with respect to vertical position.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Cone beam computed tomography can be used as a posttreatment diagnostic technique for detecting caries under high-atomic-number fixed plate dentures. By combining high resolution and accuracy, cone beam computed tomography could provide the means for diagnosing caries without removing fixed plate dentures.
authors: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, Faculty of Dentistry, Sifa University, Izmir, Turkey. Electronic address: Aglarci@gmail.com.
authors: Osman Sami
authors: OS
authors: Aglarci
authors: Department of Prosthodontics, Faculty of Dentistry, Sifa University, Izmir, Turkey.
authors: Mehmet Selim
authors: MS
authors: Bilgin
authors: Department of Prosthodontics, Faculty of Dentistry, Sifa University, Izmir, Turkey.
authors: Ali
authors: A
authors: Erdem
authors: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, Faculty of Dentistry, Izmir Katip Celebi University, Izmir, Turkey.
authors: Elif Tarim
authors: ET
authors: Ertas
mesh_terms: D054893:Cone-Beam Computed Tomography / Q000379:methods*; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D003764:Dental Materials / Q000737:chemistry; D003779:Denture Design; D003830:Denture, Partial, Fixed; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques
chemical_list: D003764:Dental Materials