Linear measurement accuracy of dental CT images obtained by 64-slice multidetector row CT: the effects of mandibular positioning and pitch factor at CT scanning

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate whether the measurement accuracy of dental CT images is affected by the mandibular positioning and the pitch factor at CT scanning.

Materials and methods: Three dry mandibles were scanned by 64-slice multidetector row CT (MDCT) and micro-CT. For MDCT scanning, 7 different mandibular positioning and 3 different pitch factors were applied. After reformatting dental CT images, the bone height was measured on these images. It was also measured on the corresponding micro-CT image, which was defined as the actual value. The difference of the measurement values between these 2 was defined as the measurement error.

Results: There was no significant difference in the measurement errors due to either the mandibular positioning or the pitch factor.

Conclusion: The measurement accuracy of dental CT images obtained was not affected by either mandibular positioning or pitch factor at CT scanning.