| Aim: The accuracy in identifying anatomical landmarks on CBCT images can be affected by the presence of surrounding anatomical structures with similar radiodensity. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of the presence of tooth structure on the accuracy in identifying the lamina dura surface, facial bone surface, facial and lingual bone margins, socket apex, as well as in facial bone thickness measurement. Materials & Methods: Three fresh cadaver heads were scanned using a NewTom 5G CBCT at 0.100 mm voxel size at three time-points: before extraction (T1), after extraction and reinsertion (T2), and after tooth removal (T3). Only single rooted teeth were extracted in a minimally traumatic fashion. The volumes were superimposed (Invivo 5.2) in pairs (T1-T2, T1-T3, T2-T3) and mid-sagittal images of each socket were produced. The lamina dura and facial bone surfaces were plotted at 3, 5, 7, 9, and 11 mm apical to the CEJ. In addition, the facial and lingual bone margins, and the socket apex were plotted. The point coordinates were recorded and the facial bone thickness calculated. The discrepancies of all parameters between time-points were compared using Wilcoxon Signed Rank test (alpha = 0.05). Results: Although there were statistically significant differences (p < 0.05) in time-point discrepancy in 5 of 21 parameters evaluated, the measured discrepancies were low and likely clinically inconsequential. Conclusions: At 0.100 mm voxel size, the ability to accurately identify socket lamina dura, and measure the facial bone thickness on CBCT images does not seem to be clinically affected by the presence of tooth structure, nor by the minimally traumatic extraction procedure. |
