Influence of Different Protocols of Cone-Beam Computed Tomography Units of High and Low Resolution on the Identification of Root Fractures.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the efficacy of different protocols of cone beam computed tomography units with image resolutions for identifying dental root fractures. Accordingly, 24 single-rooted teeth were endodontically prepared using gutta-percha, fibreglass, or metal. Root fractures were caused in 50% of the samples. The teeth were included in a dry jaw and scanned using two tomographic units: OP300 and 3D Veraview. These tomographs respectively achieved an accuracy of 0.88 and 0.83 and a sensitivity of 0.78 and 0.83. The OP300 Maxio device had a high specificity of 0.98 compared to the 3D Veraview's 0.83. Thus, the two devices tested were both adequate for the identification of root fractures. However, the 3D Veraview demonstrated greater accuracy in the detection of root fractures in roots containing metal posts, while the OP300 showed greater accuracy with the use of fibreglass posts. The presence of gutta-percha compromised the identification of fractures with both devices.