BackgroundRadiography plays an important role in the detection of interproximal caries.ObjectivesThe aim of the present study was to determine diagnostic accuracy of chargecoupled devices (CCD), Photo Stimulable Phosphor (PSP) and film radiography in detecting non-cavitated caries.Patients and MethodsSeventy-two non-cavitated approximal surfaces of extracted human posterior teeth were radiographed under standardized conditions using three intraoral modalities: CCD Dixi3 (Planmeca, Finland), PSP Digora PCT (Soredex, Finland),and E-speed film (Kodak, USA). Radiographs were interpreted by four observers and caries lesions were classified as sound (R0), restricted to enamel (R1), reaching the dentinoenamel junction (DEJ) and the outer half of the dentin (R2) and the inner half of the dentin (R3). The teeth were subsequently sectioned for histological analysis which served as the gold standard for radiographic examination.ResultsMicroscopic examinations showed that the distribution of caries were 63.9% sound, 18.1% enamel, 9.7% DEJ and outer half of the dentin and 8.3% into the inner half of the dentin.The sensitivity and specificity of film, CCD and PSP for the detection of enamel caries were 38% and 98%; 15% and 96 %; and 23% and 98%, respectively.The sensitivity and specificity of film, CCD and PSP for the detection of both dentin and enamel caries were 55% and 100%; 45% and 100% ; and 55% and 100%, respectively.ConclusionsThe results demonstrated that the diagnostic accuracy of digital images is similar to that of conventional film radiography in the detection of non-cavitated approximal caries.

PurposeThe aim of this study was to investigate the accuracy of cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) in the diagnosis of vertical root fractures in a tooth with gutta-percha and prefabricated posts.Materials and MethodsThis study selected 96 extracted molar and premolar teeth of the mandible. These teeth were divided into six groups as follows: Groups A, B, and C consisted of teeth with vertical root fractures, and groups D, E, and F had teeth without vertical root fractures; groups A and D had teeth with gutta-percha and prefabricated posts; groups B and E had teeth with gutta-percha but without prefabricated posts, and groups C and F had teeth without gutta-percha or prefabricated posts. Then, the CBCT scans were obtained and examined by three oral and maxillofacial radiologists in order to determine the presence of vertical root fractures. The data were analyzed using IBM SPSS 20.0 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA).ResultsThe kappa coefficient was 0.875±0.049. Groups A and D showed a sensitivity of 81% and a specificity of 100%; groups E and B, a sensitivity of 94% and a specificity of 100%; and groups C and F, a sensitivity of 88% and a specificity of 100%.ConclusionThe CBCT scans revealed a high accuracy in the diagnosis of vertical root fractures; the accuracy did not decrease in the presence of gutta-percha. The presence of prefabricated posts also had little effect on the accuracy of the system, which was, of course, not statistically significant.

<div class="WordSection1"><p><strong>Objective</strong>. The aim of this study was to evaluate the number and mor- phological characteristics of the roots and root canals in mandibular anterior teeth, using cone beam computed tomography. <strong>Methods and materials. </strong>In this cross-sectional study, 1053 anterior mandibular teeth from 200 CBCT scans were evaluated. The teeth were complete- ly developed and should have had no fillings in the root or crown. The teeth were investigated in terms of the number of roots and root canals, the location of the apical foramen, the distance of the apical foramen to the anatomical apex, root length, crown length, dilacera- tions and the type of canals according to Vertucci’s classification. <strong>Re- sults</strong>. 87.9% of teeth had one root canal and of all of the teeth, three canines (0.3%) were found that had two roots. In 80.3% (n: 848) of cases the foramen apical location was central, then the buccal (9.3%), lingual (3.9%), distal (3.8%), and mesial (2.7%). The type of root ca- nals, according to Vertucci’s classification, with respect to prevalence, included type I (88.2%), type III (8.1%), type II (3.3%), type V (0.3%), and type VI (0.1%), respectively. In terms of the characteristics inves- tigated, bilateral symmetry was observed. Dilaceration was not seen in any of the teeth. <strong>Conclusion</strong>. The root canal morphology of mandibu- lar anterior teeth has great diversity that may differ between different races, and should be considered by all dentists in order to achieve the best dental treatment.</p></div><br clear="all" /><p> </p>

PurposeThe aim of this in vitro study was to determine the sensitivity and specificity of cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) and digital periapical radiography in the detection of mesial root perforations of mandibular molars.Materials and MethodsIn this in vitro study, 48 mandibular molars were divided into 4 groups. First, the mesial canals of all the 48 teeth were endodontically prepared. In 2 groups (24 teeth each), the roots were axially perforated in the mesiolingual canal 1-3 mm below the furcation region, penetrating the root surface ("root perforation"). Then, in one of these 2 groups, the mesial canals were filled with gutta-percha and AH26 sealer. Mesial canals in one of the other 2 groups without perforation (control groups) were filled with the same materials. The CBCT and periapical radiographs with 3 different angulations were evaluated by 2 oral and maxillofacial radiologists. The specificity and sensitivity of the two methods were calculated, and P<0.05 was considered significant.ResultsThe sensitivity and specificity of CBCT scans in the detection of obturated root canal perforations were 79% and 96%, respectively, and in the case of three-angled periapical radiographs, they were 92% and 100%, respectively. In non-obturated root canals, the sensitivity and specificity of CBCT scans in perforation detection were 92% and 100%, respectively, and for three-angled periapical radiographs, they were 50% and 96%, respectively.ConclusionFor perforation detection in filled-root canals, periapical radiography with three different horizontal angulations would be trustworthy, but it is recommended that CBCT be used for perforation detection before obturating root canals.

Purpose: Due to the extensive use of cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) in dentistry, especially in measuring thicknesses of hard and soft tissues, and the fact that CBCT has low contrast resolution, the aim of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of CBCT in measuring soft tissue thickness. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, pink baseplate wax as a soft tissue simulation was overlaid in different areas of the jaws on the dry human skull, and the probe was used to determine the thicknesses of 1, 2, 3, and 5 mm. These thicknesses were then measured accurately with a digital caliper by one person four times at interval of a week. The skull was scanned using two CBCT scanners, and the different thicknesses of wax were measured by two observers four times with a week interval. The CBCT measurements were compared with digital caliper measurements as a reference. Results: Statistical analysis showed no significant difference between CBCT and digital caliper measurements for thickness < 2 mm ( P > 0.05). Conclusions: Statistically, the difference between digital caliper and CBCT measurements was < 0.1 mm, but this difference is not clinically important. The accuracy of CBCT in measuring soft tissue thickness was 0.1 mm.