Development of a New Cone-Beam Computed Tomography Software for Endodontic Diagnosis

Abstract

Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) has promoted changes in approaches in Endodontics, and enhanced decision-making in complex clinical cases. Despite the technological advancements in CBCT hardware, the interpretation of the acquired images is still compromised by viewing software packages that often have limited navigational tools and lack adequate filters to overcome some challenges of the CBCT technology such as artefacts. This study reviews the current limitations of CBCT and the potential of a new CBCT software package (e-Vol DX, CDT- Brazil) to overcome these aspects and support diagnosing, planning and managing of endodontic cases. This imaging method provide high resolution images due to submillimeter voxel sizes, dynamic multi-plane imaging navigation and ability to change the volume parameters such as slice thickness and slice intervals and data correction applying imaging filters and manipulating brightness and contrast. The main differences between e-Vol DX and other software packages are: compatibility with all current CBCT scanners with the capacity to export DICOM Data, a more comprehensive brightness and contrast library, as other applications, in which adjustments are limited, do not usually support all the DICOM dynamic range features; Custom slice thickness adjustment, often limited and pre-defined in other applications; Custom Sharpening adjustment, often limited in other applications; advanced noise reduction algorithm that enhances image quality; preset imaging filters, dedicated endodontic volume rendering filters with the ability to zoom the image over 1000x (3D reconstructions) without loss of resolution and automatic imaging parameters customization for better standardization and opportunities for research; capture screen resolution of 192 dpi, with a 384 dpi option, in contrast to the 96 dpi of most similar applications. This new CBCT software package may support decision-making for the treatment of complex endodontic cases and improve diagnosis and treatment results. Effective improvement of image quality favors the rational prescription and interpretation of CBCT scans.