Detection of vertical root fracture using cone-beam computerized tomography: an in vitro assessment

Abstract

Objectives: This study aimed to compare 2 cone-beam CT units [NewTom 3G (small FOV), Iluma (ultra/low resolution)] and an intraoral CCD sensor in the detection of vertical root fracture (VRF).

Study design: The VRFs were created in 30 teeth, and 30 intact teeth served as control samples. All images were evaluated twice by 4 observers. Kappa coefficients were calculated to assess intra- and interobserver agreement, and t tests were used to compare Az values (alpha = 0.05).

Results: Both intra- and interobserver agreement values were higher for the ultra-resolution Iluma and NewTom 3G images compared with the low-resolution Iluma and intraoral CCD images. Az values for the ultra-resolution Iluma and NewTom 3G images were also higher than for the Iluma low-resolution and intraoral CCD images. No significant differences (P > .05) in diagnostic accuracy were found between the Iluma ultra-resolution and NewTom 3G images, with the exception of the second reading of observer 2 (P = .036), and no significant differences (P > .05) were found between the intraoral digital and low-resolution Iluma images.

Conclusion: Both ultra-resolution Iluma and NewTom 3G images performed better than low-resolution Iluma and intraoral CCD images in the detection of VRF.