Ângela Graciela Deliga Schröder1, Fernando Henrique Westphalen2, Julio Cesar Schröder1, Ângela Fernandes3, Vânia Portela Ditzel Westphalen1. 1. School of Life Sciences, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Paraná, Curitiba, Brazil. 2. School of Life Sciences, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Paraná, Curitiba, Brazil; Department of Stomatology, Universidade Federal do Paraná, Curitiba, Brazil. Electronic address: westphalen@ufpr.br. 3. Department of Stomatology, Universidade Federal do Paraná, Curitiba, Brazil.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to compare the sensitivity and specificity of digital periapical radiography and cone-beam computed tomographic (CBCT) imaging in the detection of natural and simulated external root resorptions (ERRs) with micro-computed tomographic (micro-CT) imaging as the reference standard. METHODS: One hundred twenty-six teeth were scanned using the SkyScan 1172 micro-CT scanner (Bruker microCT, Kontich, Belgium), and the images were evaluated using NRecon software (Bruker microCT). After micro-CT imaging, the teeth were divided into 3 groups: control, 42 teeth that did not present any ERR cavities; natural, 42 teeth that presented 1 or more ERR cavities; and artificial, 42 teeth without ERRs but perforations were created to simulate the cavities. Ortho-, mesio-, and distoradial digital periapical radiographs and CBCT images were obtained, and the images were evaluated by 2 double-blinded qualified radiologists. RESULTS: The sensitivities and specificities for the radiographic and tomographic methods were 78.18% and 97.27% and 59.52% and 97.62%, respectively. Within the individual groups, both methods had lower sensitivity and specificity for natural and artificial resorptions, and the differences were statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: CBCT imaging was the best method for the detection of ERRs. Only 74.5% of natural ERR gaps were observed on the digital periapical radiographs and 94.5% on CBCT imaging; in the artificial group, this number increased to 81.8% and 100%, respectively. The configuration of the natural ERR gaps is different from those artificially simulated and is much more difficult to observe.
INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to compare the sensitivity and specificity of digital periapical radiography and cone-beam computed tomographic (CBCT) imaging in the detection of natural and simulated external root resorptions (ERRs) with micro-computed tomographic (micro-CT) imaging as the reference standard. METHODS: One hundred twenty-six teeth were scanned using the SkyScan 1172 micro-CT scanner (Bruker microCT, Kontich, Belgium), and the images were evaluated using NRecon software (Bruker microCT). After micro-CT imaging, the teeth were divided into 3 groups: control, 42 teeth that did not present any ERR cavities; natural, 42 teeth that presented 1 or more ERR cavities; and artificial, 42 teeth without ERRs but perforations were created to simulate the cavities. Ortho-, mesio-, and distoradial digital periapical radiographs and CBCT images were obtained, and the images were evaluated by 2 double-blinded qualified radiologists. RESULTS: The sensitivities and specificities for the radiographic and tomographic methods were 78.18% and 97.27% and 59.52% and 97.62%, respectively. Within the individual groups, both methods had lower sensitivity and specificity for natural and artificial resorptions, and the differences were statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: CBCT imaging was the best method for the detection of ERRs. Only 74.5% of natural ERR gaps were observed on the digital periapical radiographs and 94.5% on CBCT imaging; in the artificial group, this number increased to 81.8% and 100%, respectively. The configuration of the natural ERR gaps is different from those artificially simulated and is much more difficult to observe.