Measurement accuracy and reliability of tooth length on conventional and CBCT reconstructed panoramic radiographs

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: This in vivo study assessed accuracy and reliability of tooth length measurements obtained from conventional panoramic radiographs and CBCT panoramic reconstructions to that of a digital caliper (gold standard). METHODS: The sample consisted of subjects who had CBCT and conventional panoramic radiographic imaging and who required maxillary premolar extraction for routine orthodontic treatment. A total of 48 teeth extracted from 26 subjects were measured directly with digital calipers. Radiographic images were scanned and digitally measured in Dolphin 3D software. Accuracy of tooth length measurements made by CBCT panoramic reconstructions, conventional panoramic radiographs and digital caliper (gold standard) were compared to each other by repeated measures one-way ANOVA with Bonferroni correction and by single measures intraclass correlation coefficient. RESULTS: Repeated root length measures with digital calipers, panoramic radiographs and CBCT constructed panoramic-like images were all individually highly reliable. Compared to the caliper (gold standard), tooth measurements obtained from conventional panoramic radiographs were on average 6.3 mm (SD = 2.0 mm) longer, while tooth measurements from CBCT panoramic reconstructions were an average of 1.7 mm (SD = 1.2 mm) shorter. CONCLUSIONS: In comparison to actual tooth lengths, conventional panoramic radiographs were relatively inaccurate, overestimating the lengths by 29%, while CBCT panoramic reconstructions underestimated the lengths by 4%.

Applications of Cone Beam Computed Tomography in Orthodontics: A Review

“…They also concluded that the orientation of the skull at the time of the scanning does not affect the accuracy or reliability of the landmark measurements. Flores-Mir et al (25) compared tooth length measurements from conventional panoramic radiographs and CBCT reconstructions to those taken with a digital caliper. Forty-eight extracted teeth were measured with digital calipers, and the radiographs were scanned and measured in Dolphin 3D.…”

Cone‐beam computed tomography accuracy in pulp chamber size evaluation: An ex vivo study

“…When comparing any radiographic imaging techniques used in the oral region, one should consider that all of them may carry some degree of inaccuracy when estimating the size of anatomical structures . In the present study, we aimed at assessing the reliability of CBCT for quantitative evaluation of the size of pulp chamber and related structures, by a comparison with direct microscopic evaluation of the same region.…”

Comparative Measurement of Tooth Length: Actual vs. Orthopantomography and CBCT-Based Measurements

“…Endodontically, it helps in assessing the working length. In prosthetics it helps in making better judgment about the selection of abutment and in periodontics it helps in comparing tooth length or root length and alveolar crestal levels [1][2][3]. Several methods of determining tooth length exists [2], but most preferred way of determining the root canal length is by radiographs mainly by the intraoral periapical radiography and orthopantomography.…”