Objective

  To compare the diagnostic value of six intraoral digital receptors and a cone beam computed tomography scanning system for detection of voids in root fillings.

 Methods

 Sixty-seven root-filled roots with oval and ribbon-shaped canals were included. Three standardized radiographic examinations were performed for each root with six intraoral digital receptors. Further, the roots were examined using CBCT. Four observers measured the extension of voids in all images. The true extension of voids was recorded in cross-sectional images from micro-computed tomography scans (micro-CT). The proportion of voids observed in the radiographic image validated against micro-CT was calculated for each system.

 Results

  All intraoral receptors underestimated the extension of voids, and few false positives were recorded. CBCT resulted in a higher proportion of correctly observed voids, but with several false-positive recordings.

 Conclusions

  The diagnostic value differed little among the six intraoral systems. CBCT overestimated in many cases the proportion of voids in root fillings.

 Source: Oral Surgery, Oral Medicine, Oral Pathology, Oral Radiology

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