Background:Vertical root fracture (VRF) is a common problem in endodontically treated teeth. Due to its poor prognosis, a reliable technique must be used to make an accurate diagnosis. Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) has been recently introduced for maxillofacial imaging. Despite the high diagnostic value of this method, metal artifacts resulting from intra-canal posts still make the detection of VRFs challenging.Objectives:This study aimed to assess the effect of object position in the field of view (FOV) of CBCT on detection of VRFs in teeth with intra-canal posts.Materials and Methods:The crowns of 60 extracted premolar teeth were cut at the level of cementoenamel junction (CEJ). Root canals were filled with gutta-percha and filling of the coronal 2/3 of the root canals was subsequently removed to fabricate intra-canal cast posts. The teeth were randomly divided into two groups of 30. Fracture was induced in group one using an Instron machine. Group two was considered as the control group with no fracture. All teeth were then randomly positioned and scanned in five different positions starting at the center of the FOV as well as right, left anterior and posterior relative to the center (3, 9, 12, and 6 O’clock) via the New Tom VGI CBCT unit. Two observers evaluated images for VRFs. Sensitivity and specificity of fracture diagnosis in each position was calculated in comparison with the gold standard. Wilcoxon test was used for data analysis.Results:Considering deterministic and probabilistic diagnostic parameters, probabilistic sensitivity was similar in all positions; but probabilistic specificity of the center position (65.1%) was significantly higher than that of 6 and 12 O’clock positions. Considering the deterministic diagnostic parameters, the overall sensitivity and specificity values decreased in all positions in FOV, but sensitivity of the center position of FOV was significantly higher than that of other positions; specificity was significantly higher at the 3 O’clock position (58.5%).Conclusion:Concerning the positions in FOV, the center position is suitable for detection of VRF in teeth with intra-canal posts due to significantly higher sensitivity at this position. The 3 O’clock position would be suitable for assessment of intact teeth without fractures due to significantly higher specificity at this position.

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Background and aims. The aim of this study was to evaluate the intra- and inter-examiner reliability and reproducibility of linear measurements on cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) images made by calibrated radiologists and periodontists. Materials and methods. The alveolar ridge dimensions were measured on selected CBCT images by two calibrated radiologists and two periodontists. Intra- and inter-examiner reliability was evaluated by intra-rater and intra-class correlation coefficients (ICCs). Results. Intra- and inter-examiners ICCs obtained with the different methods showed almost perfect matches. The results demonstrated high examiner reproducibility for linear parameters of alveolar ridges on CBCT images in presurgical implant site assessments. Conclusion. The alveolar ridge dimensions provided by the radiologists might be useful for the periodontists. The measurements with small differences were related to the experience and skills of the examiner, inclination measurement, selection of the exact level of the alveolar crest and the ability to detect the exact anatomic borders on CBCT images.

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