In Vitro Comparison of Contemporary Radiographic Imaging Techniques for the Measurement of Inter-radicular Width. (March 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Al-Tamimi, Bouthayna; Davies, Jonathan; Fiorentino, Francesca; Bister, Dirk
• Is Part Of: Journal of orthodontics. Volume 43:Number 1(2016:Mar.)
• Page Start: 24
• Page End: 32
• Publication Date: 2016-03
• Subjects: Radiographic technique -- Inter-radicular width measurements; Orthodontics -- Periodicals; 617.643005
• DOI: 10.1080/14653125.2015.1109792
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1465-3125

Abstract

Objective: To assess the reliability of inter-radicular measurements taken using dental pantomograms (DPT), long cone periapical radiographs (LCPA) and cone bean computed tomography (CBCT). Materials/Methods: A typodont simulating a hypodontia patient undergoing fixed appliance treatment was used. LCPAs, DPT, I-CAT and Accuitomo CBCT images were taken and the distances between the edentulous spans were measured at the midpoint of the roots and the cemento-enamel junctions (CEJ) of adjacent teeth. The results of each modality were compared to each other to the actual inter-radicular space. Results: The DPT overestimated inter-radicular widths by 2 mm or more [mean: 2.48; 95% confidence interval (CI): −1.09 to 6.05 mm]. The LCPA overestimated the inter-radicular widths by 1.5 mm with a 95% CI of −0.095 to 4.03 mm. The mean differences between gold standard (model) and Accuitomo was 0.57 mm (95% CI: −0.37 to 1.51 mm) for the root mean and 0.22 mm (95% CI: −0.52 to 0.96 mm) for the CEJ. This was similar to the differences between the model and I-CAT where the inter-radicular root mean difference was 0.38 mm (95% CI: −0.38 to 1.14 mm) and the CEJ mean difference was 0.21 mm (95% CI: −0.50 to 0.92 mm). Conclusion: The CBCT overestimated the root distance by 0.48 mm and the CEJ width by 0.22 mm, which is clinically irrelevant for implant placement. The DPT overestimated inter-radicular width by 2 mm and the LCPA by 1.5 mm and this difference may put roots of adjacent teeth at risk during implant placement.