Evaluation Analysis Of Cone-beam Computed Tomography In Assessing The Maxillary Molar Furcation Involvement In Vitro

Objectives:To evaluate the accuracy of the cone beam CT in the imaging analyses of maxillary molar furcation involvement in vitro, and to provide a reference for clinical diagnosis and prognosis evaluation for it. Methods:Twenty-two maxillary first and second molars of eight maxillary molars in vitro were scanned by cone beam CT. The interval of the CBCT scan was one week for two time. four positioning parameters of the corresponding value were analyzed through the software analysis system on artificial selection marker analysis system for CBCT image: 1. The distance between enamelo-cemenal junction furcation and alveolar ridge crest. 2. The length of rhizostyle. 3. The degrees of furcation involvement.4. The opening degree of furcation. We directly measured four signs corresponding parameter value of the maxillary first and second molars by periodontal probe or furcation probe at the same time, and compared the results of the corresponding parameters of the CBCT image measurement method with the direct probing of periodontal probe or furcation probe. The degree of consistency between the two methods of measurement was determined. SPSS19.0 statistical software was used for statistical analysis of the experimental data. Results: Cone beam CT can acquire the degrees of the furcation involvement accurately. The degrees of probing furcation involvement of the CBCT image analysis measurement method and the direct probing method had high consistency(k=0.839). The difference between two measurement methods results had no statistical significance( P>0.05). The difference between the values of parameters relevant to the corresponding direct probing method associated with the four signs corresponding parameter value of three furcations which involved CBCT maxillary molars(buccal/ mesiopalatal / distopalatal) had no statistical significance(P>0.05). But the rhizostyle measurement values of the CBCT for three furcations(buccal/ mesiopalatal / distopalatal) of the maxillary molar were slightly lower than direct probing measurements. The mean values of the differences was only-0.12~-0.22 mm. This may be associated with the location of furcation entrances. Conclusions: Cone beam CT can produce an accurate 3D data for maxillary molars furcation. It can give accurate degrees of furcation involvement. It can have the quantitative analysis measurement to diagnose the furcation involvement accurately, so that it can be used as an important image auxiliary examination for guide treatment of periodontal disease and furcation involvement.