Accuracy of Cone Beam Computed Tomography in the Assessment of Mandibular Molar Furcation Defects

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the accuracy of cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) in the assessment of mandibular molar furcation defects. Material and Methods: Thirty patients with furcation defects were selected, oral hygiene instructions, scaling, and root planing with ultrasonic devices and hand instruments and occlusal adjustments were performed. Pre-surgical clinical measurements were carried out at the buccal aspect of the selected mandibular molars. The horizontal furcation measurements were measured with a Nabers Probe starting at the furcation entrance to the greatest horizontal depth. The degree of furcation involvement was graded from 0 to III. Bone loss in the horizontal and vertical direction and the width of the furcation entrance were measured on CBCT and after reflecting the full-thickness flap and debridement of the defects. The data were analyzed using t-test and Pearson's correlation coefficient. Results: The width of furcation entrance in clinical method was 3.27 ± 0.77, while in CBCT method was 3.35 ± 0.71, clinically the vertical bone loss was 3.61±1.09, while in CBCT was 3.57 ± 1.15, horizontal bone loss in clinical method was 5.08 ± 2.21, while in CBCT was 5.11 ± 2.23. No significant difference between the two methods was noted, and a high correlation between the two methods was observed. With regards to the agreement between the two methods of assessment, the width of furcation entrance revealed a difference between the two methods by 0.08 ± 0.21, while vertical bone loss showed difference between the two methods by -0.04 ± 0.19, the horizontal bone loss showed a mean difference between the two methods by 0.03 ± 0.21. Conclusion: CBCT provided high accuracy for the furcation involvement detection and anatomy of surrounding periodontal tissues.

Correlation of clinical and radiographic severity of periodontitis with furcation involvement: Evaluation of periapical radiographs and Cone-beam Computed Tomography

“…Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) examination in periodontitis patients with furcation involvement in this study was used as the "gold standard" in consideration of previous studies which showed that there were no significant differences in the results of intraoperative examination which is the "gold standard" in measuring pocket depth and furcation involvement with CBCT. 10,11,12,13 In this study, the results of a comparative test of furcation involvement based on clinical examination, periapical radiographs and CBCT showed statistically significant differences (p=0.019), which means that there was a discrepancy between the results of clinical examinations, periapical radiographs and CBCT. It was shown that of the 9 (30%) samples that had furcation involvement clinically only 1 (3.3%) was confirmed on CBCT.…”