Can the Inversion Filter Improve the Visibility of the Mandibular Incisive Canal?
BACKGROUND
One of the anatomic structures in the mental interforaminal area is the mandibular incisive canal (MIC). Using various manipulation tools in the digital system may affect the visibility of MIC.


OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of inversion filter (IF) on the visibility of mandibular incisive canal in panoramic radiographs.


METHODS
In this cross-sectional study, 2580 digital panoramic images of 18 to 70-year-old patients were inspected for presence of MIC. Visibility of MIC and extension of the canal were registered separately on each side using IF and conventional mode. Data were analyzed by Kappa test using SPSS version 20 software. A probability value of P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.


RESULTS
There was no significant differences between IF and conventional mode regarding visibility of MIC (P > 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Although using IF caused improved visibility of MIC, the difference with conventional mode was not statistically different.
Dental Materials Research Center, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, Dental Faculty, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran.
Farida
F
Abesi
Student Research Committee, Dental Faculty, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran.
Nima
N
Nikafshar
Dental Materials Research Center, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, Dental Faculty, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran.
Sina
S
Haghanifar
Social Medical and Health Department, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran.
Soraya
S
Khafri
Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Dental Faculty, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran.
Mahtab
M
Hamzeh
Digital; Panoramic Radiography; Software