Optimization of Tube Current in Cone-beam Computed Tomography for the Detection of Vertical Root Fractures with Different Intracanal Materials

Author(s)

Gaeta-Araujo, Hugo ^[1] ; Silva de Souza, Gabriela Queiroz ^[2] ; Freitas, Deborah Queiroz ^[1] ; de Oliveira-Santos, Christiano ^[2]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Estadual Campinas, Piracicaba Dent Sch, Dept Oral Diag, Div Oral Radiol, Piracicaba, SP - Brazil

^[2] Univ Sao Paulo, Sch Dent Ribeirao Preto, Dept Stomatol Publ Oral Hlth & Forens Dent, Ribeirao Preto - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: JOURNAL OF ENDODONTICS; v. 43, n. 10, p. 1668-1673, OCT 2017.
• Web of Science Citations: 5

Abstract

Introduction: There is no consensus about the accuracy of cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) for detecting vertical root fractures (VRFs), nor is there certainty about the isolated effect of different tube current parameters on the diagnosis of VRF through CBCT scans. This study aimed to evaluate how tube current affects the detection of VRF on CBCT examinations in the absence of intracanal materials and in the presence of gutta-percha (GP) and metal (MP) or fiberglass (FP) intracanal posts. Methods: The sample consisted of 320 CBCT scans of tooth roots with and without VRF divided into 8 groups: no fracture/no intracanal material; no fracture + GP; no fracture + MP; no fracture + FP; fracture/no intracanal material; fracture + GP; fracture + MP; fracture + FP. The scans were acquired with an OP300 unit using 4 different milliamperes (4 mA, 8 mA, 10 mA, 13 mA). Five oral radiologists analyzed the images. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (Az), sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, and interobserver agreement were calculated. Results: Diagnostic performance for the different milliamperes tested was similar for teeth without root filling materials or with FP. Teeth with GP and MP showed the highest Az values for 8 mA and 10 mA, respectively. For teeth with MP, specificity was significantly higher when 10 mA was used. Conclusions: For teeth without root filling materials or with FP, the use of a reduced milliampere does not seem to influence the detection of VRF in a significant manner. For teeth with GP and MP, an increased milliampere may lead to increased diagnostic performance. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 15/01074-3 - Otimization of cone beam computed tomography parameters of tube current for detection of vertical root fractures with different intracanal materials
• Grantee: Gabriela Queiroz Silva de Souza
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation