Diagnosis of external root resorption in teeth close and distant to zirconium implants: influence of acquisition parameters and artefacts produced during cone beam computed tomography

• Published in: International endodontic journal Vol. 52; no. 6; pp. 866 - 873
• Main Authors: Freitas, D. Q., Nascimento, E. H. L., Vasconcelos, T. V., Noujeim, M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Wiley Subscription Services, Inc 01.06.2019
• Subjects: Artefacts; Computed tomography; cone beam computed tomography; Dental caries; Dental roots; Dentistry; Diagnosis; Endodontics; external root resorption; Mandible; Root resorption; Transplants & implants; Zirconium; diagnosis; External root resorption; cone beam computed tomography; artifacts
• ISSN: 0143-2885; 1365-2591
• DOI: 10.1111/iej.13065

Aim To assess the influence of artefacts, the metal artefact reduction (MAR) tool and kilovoltage (kVp) on the diagnosis of simulated external root resorption (ERR) in teeth close and distant to zirconium implants in cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) images. Methodology Cavities (0.62 mm in diameter and 0.19 mm deep) were created in the apical thirds of 12 roots on the buccal, lingual, distal or mesial surface; ten roots served as controls. The roots were randomly positioned in the first and second right and left premolar sockets of a dry human mandible, and a zirconium implant was placed in the socket of the first right molar. A ProMax 3D unit varying kVp (70, 80, or 90 kVp) and with the MAR tool activated or not was used to obtain CBCT scans. Five examiners evaluated all images to determine the area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, sensitivity and specificity. Results The ROC values and sensitivity were not affected by MAR or artefacts regardless of the distance to the implant (P > 0.05), whilst increasing kVp from 70 to 90 led to a significant increase in these values (P = 0.0202 and 0.0199, respectively). Specificity was not affected by the factors studied (P > 0.05). Conclusions Amongst the factors studied, only kVp influenced the diagnosis of simulated external root resorption in CBCT images. Increasing kVp from 70 to 90 improved the accuracy in diagnosing the simulated lesions.