Cone beam CT in orthodontics: The current picture

An overview of three-dimensional imaging devices in dentistry

OBJECTIVE

To review four types of three-dimensional imaging devices: intraoral scanners, extraoral scanners, cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT), and facial scanners, in terms of their development, technologies, advantages, disadvantages, accuracy, influencing factors, and applications in dentistry.

METHODS

PubMed (National Library of Medicine) and Google Scholar databases were searched. Additionally, the scanner manufacturers' websites were accessed to obtain relevant data. Four authors independently selected the articles, books, and websites. To exclude duplicates and scrutinize the data, they were uploaded to Mendeley Data. In total, 135 articles, two books, and 17 websites were included.

RESULTS

Research and clinical practice have shown that oral and facial scanners and CBCT can be used widely in various areas of dentistry with high accuracy.

CONCLUSION

Although further advancement of these devices is desirable, there is no doubt that digital technology represents the future of dentistry. Furthermore, the combined use of different devices may bring dentistry into a new era. These four devices will play a significant role in clinical utility with high accuracy. The combined use of these devices should be explored further.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE

The four devices will play a significant role in clinical use with high accuracy. The combined use of these devices should be explored further.

Cone beam computed tomography analysis results in patients with obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome

INTRODUCTION

The present study aimed to investigate the contribution of cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) to the diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS).

METHODS

The present study investigate the relationships among body mass index (BMI), upper airway, septum deviation, nasal cavity width, airway, and the hard and soft palate width using CBCT images of 64 patients obtained in Uşak University Faculty of Dentistry. The study included 31 (8 female and 23 male; mean age: 52.52 ± 10.01 years) and 33 patients (12 female and 21 male; mean age: 47.39 ± 10.27 years) with and without OSAS, respectively. Between-group comparisons of non-normally and normally distributed variables were performed using the Mann-Whitney U test and Student's t-test, respectively. Spearman's correlation analysis was used to determine the relationship between quantitative data. Statistical significance was evaluated at P < .01 and P < .05.

RESULTS

There were significant differences between groups in the BMI, nasal septum position, hard and soft palate width, maxillary skeletal width, and palatal alveolar angle (P < .01). In addition it was also found that BMI was higher, the nasopharyngeal airway was longer, and the soft palate was longer and wider in males. (P = .001; P < .01).

CONCLUSION

This study concluded that patients with OSAS had marked narrowing of the upper airway, nasal cavity and maxillary width, shortening and enlargement of the soft palate, and marked increase in BMI. However, to gather sufficiently reliable data for routine use in orthodontic analyses, there is a need for greater number of samples to improve the database.

Development and Validation of Novel Three-Dimensional Craniofacial Landmarks on Cone-Beam Computed Tomography Scans

As cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans become increasingly common, it is vital to have reliable 3-dimensional (3D) landmarks for quantitative analysis of craniofacial skeletal morphology. While some studies have developed and used 3D landmarks, these landmark sets are generally small and derived primarily from previous 2-dimensional (2D) cephalometric landmarks. These derived landmarks lack information in parts of the skull such as the cranial base, which is an important feature for cranial growth and development. The authors see a real need for development and validation of 3D landmarks, particularly bilateral landmarks, across the skull for improved cephalometric analysis. The primary objective of this study is to develop and validate a set of 61 3D anatomical landmarks on the face, cranial base, mandible, and teeth for use in clinical and research studies involving CBCT imaging. Each landmark was placed 3 times by 3 separate trained observers on a set of 10 anonymized CBCT patient scans. Intra-rater and inter-rater estimates of consistency and agreement were calculated using the intraclass correlation coefficient. Measurement error was calculated per landmark and per X, Y, and Z landmark coordinate. The authors had high ICC estimates within rates, indicating high consistency, and high ICC estimates among raters, indicate good agreement across raters. Overall measurement error for each landmark and each X, Y, and Z coordinate was low. Our results confirm the accuracy of novel 3D landmarks including several on the cranial base that will serve researchers and clinicians for use in future studies involving 3D CBCT imaging and craniofacial development.

Comparación de distancias interradiculares y grosor del hueso cortical en dos sectores del maxilar inferior para colocación de mini implantes

Introducción: la colocación de mini implantes interradiculares, como alternativa para el anclaje de aparatología ortodóntica, varía acorde a la clasificación esquelética del paciente Clase I o II. Es necesario realizar la correcta identificación de la ubicación radicular y grosor cortical como parte del análisis estratégico del área a intervenir. Objetivo: comparar tomográficamente las distancias interradiculares y grosor del hueso cortical en dos sectores del maxilar inferior para colocación de mini implantes. Materiales y métodos: estudio transversal que incluyó 120 tomografías computarizadas de haz cónico, pertenecientes a pacientes Clase I (60) y Clase II (60) esquelética. Se identificó tomográficamente la distancia interradicular, el ancho bucolingual y el grosor del hueso cortical bucal, a partir de la cresta alveolar entre el segundo premolar y primer molar inferior derecho y entre el canino y lateral del mismo lado. Un análisis estadístico con prueba t Student al 95% de confianza comparó la ubicación de las estructuras anatómicas para clase I y II esquelética. Resultados: en la distancia interradicular, comparativamente entre clase I y II, se encontró significancia entre canino y lateral derecho (p=< 0.054) a los 8 mm. En este mismo sector, en el ancho bucolingual, se encontró diferencia significativa  a  6mm de altura (p=<.04). En el grosor del hueso cortical no se encontraron diferencias estadísticas al comparar los  valores para la Clase I y II. Conclusiones: en Clase I y II, el mayor espesor para la colocación de mini implantes se registró en el espacio interradicular a 8 mm de altura y en  el ancho bucolingual a 6 mm.

À propos d'un cas de résorptions radiculaires sévères en orthodontie : quelle étiologie et quelle prise en charge?Orthodontics and root resorptions: a clinical case

INTRODUCTION

Root resorptions are, with white spots, some of the inconveniences caused by orthodontic treatments. Although they are rare, they should not be ignored despite the many benefits gained by orthodontic treatment. Contrary to white spots, which are controllable by good dental hygiene, root resorptions can occur despite patient cooperation. Orthodontists should be aware of this phenomenon and make regular radiologic controls a priority for detection "before, during and after" treatment.

MATERIAL AND METHOD

After literary references, the presentation of the case report will illustrate the role of the orthodontist in the preservation and care of teeth damaged by impacted cuspids.

DISCUSSION

The discussion will focus on the prevention and the interception of those phenomena, the etiologic research on these cases, on medical supervision and prognostic for damaged teeth.

CONCLUSION

Before the conclusion, we will evoke the contribution of the cone-beam in the diagnosis of root resorption.

Performance of cone-beam computed tomography and multidetector computed tomography in diagnostic imaging of the midface: A comparative study on Phantom and cadaver head scans

PURPOSE

To compare multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) and cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) regarding radiation, resolution, image noise, and image quality.

METHODS

CBCT and 256-MDCT were compared based on three scan protocols: Standard-dose (≈24 mGy), reduced-dose (≈9 mGy), and low-dose (≈4 mGy). MDCT images were acquired in standard- and high-resolution mode (HR-MDCT) and reconstructed using filtered back projection (FBP) and iterative reconstruction (IR). Spatial resolution in linepairs (lp) and objective image noise (OIN) were assessed using dedicated phantoms. Image quality was assessed in scans of 25 cadaver heads using a Likert scale.

RESULTS

OIN was markedly higher in FBP-MDCT when compared to CBCT. IR lowered the OIN to comparable values in standard-mode MDCT only. CBCT provided a resolution of 13 lp/cm at standard-dose and 11 lp/cm at reduced-dose vs. 11 lp/cm and 10 lp/cm in HR-MDCT. Resolution of 10 lp/cm was observed for both devices using low-dose settings. Quality scores of MDCT and CBCT did not differ at standard-dose (CBCT, 3.4; MDCT, 3.3-3.5; p > 0.05). Using reduced- and low-dose protocols, CBCT was superior (reduced-dose, 3.2 vs. 2.8; low dose, 3.0 vs. 2.3; p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Using the low-dose protocol, the assessed CBCT provided better objective and subjective image quality and equality in resolution. Similar image quality, but better resolution using CBCT was observed at higher exposure settings.

KEY POINTS

• The assessed CBCT device provided better image quality at lower doses. • Objective and subjective image quality were comparable using higher exposure settings. • CBCT showed superior spatial resolution in standard-dose and reduced-dose settings. • Modern noise-reducing tools are used in CBCT devices currently. • MDCT should be preferred for assessment of soft-tissue injuries and oncologic imaging.