Current Evidence on the Image Quality and Diagnostic Effectiveness of Metal Artefact Reduction Algorithms in Dental CBCT: An Overview | Chapter 5 | Medical Science: Updates and Prospects Vol. 2

 

Dental cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) has significantly enhanced diagnostic capabilities in maxillofacial imaging, offering high-resolution, three-dimensional views with relatively low radiation exposure. Compared with computed tomography, CBCT generally delivers a lower radiation dose when producing images for equivalent diagnostic objectives. However, the presence of metallic objects such as implants, restorations, and orthodontic appliances often introduces image-degrading artefacts that compromise diagnostic accuracy. Various metal artefact reduction (MAR) algorithms have been developed to counteract these limitations. In recent years, various post-processing methods have been developed to minimize the impact of metal artefacts in CBCT. Despite these advances, the clinical effectiveness of MAR in dental CBCT remains unclear. Most existing studies are in vitro, relying on phantoms or extracted specimens under controlled conditions that do not fully replicate the complexity of in vivo imaging. There is a critical need for well-designed clinical studies which can determine when and how MAR algorithms truly enhance diagnostic outcomes in different dental applications. This review synthesizes current evidence on the diagnostic effectiveness of MAR algorithms in dental CBCT, emphasizing their methodological principles, clinical outcomes, and limitations across different imaging contexts.

 

 

Author(s) Details

Seershika Reddy Y
Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, Madha Dental College and Hospital, Kundrathur, Chennai-69, Tamil Nadu, India.

 

Kavitha M
Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, Madha Dental College and Hospital, Kundrathur, Chennai-69, Tamil Nadu, India.

 

Niveditha B
Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, Madha Dental College and Hospital, Kundrathur, Chennai-69, Tamil Nadu, India.

 

Devi S
Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, Madha Dental College and Hospital, Kundrathur, Chennai-69, Tamil Nadu, India.

 

Gurucharan R
Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, Madha Dental College and Hospital, Kundrathur, Chennai-69, Tamil Nadu, India.

 

Vigneshwaran J
Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, Madha Dental College and Hospital, Kundrathur, Chennai-69, Tamil Nadu, India.

 

Please see the book here :- https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/msup/v2/6628

Prevalence of Coronary Mineralised Pulp Nodules in Molars Using Cone Beam Computerised Tomography in a Brazilian Subpopulation | Chapter 4 | Medical Science: Recent Advances and Applications Vol. 12

 

Background: Pulp nodules, also known as Pulp stones, are a complex biological phenomenon characterised by the abnormal accumulation of mineralised tissue within the dental pulp. Only nodules larger than 200 μm in diameter are radiographically visible. Due to the variation in previous results and the limitations of earlier studies based on conventional radiographs, there is a need for more accurate diagnostic tools.

 

Aims: The aim of the study is to evaluate the prevalence of mineralised coronary pulp nodules by cone beam computerised tomography (CBCT) and explore any potential correlation between the occurrence of pulp nodules with gender, age, tooth, arches, and condition of the dental crown.

 

Methodology: CBCT scans of 300 patients, totalling 631 molars, were assessed. CBCT scans were collected from a private radiology clinic in Brazil between August 2017 and July 2018. All maxillary and mandibular molars were analysed in the sagittal, axial and coronal planes, and, when present, pulp nodules were identified as a round or oval hyperdense mass. Statistical analysis was conducted using chi-square tests, with a significance level set at 5% through Sigma Plot software (version 12.0).

 

Results: Of a total of 300 patients, pulp nodules were identified in 35% of subjects and in 25.5% of molars. The presence of pulp nodules was most frequently found in females (41.1%) than in males (27.7%) and in individuals aged over 60 years. The first upper molars showed the highest incidence of pulp nodules. No significant difference was observed when maxillary and mandibular arches were compared, either side. The presence of pulp nodules was higher in restored molars when compared to intact teeth (P<0.05). Within the observed teeth with pulp stones, 70 molars had a round-shaped nodule, while 91 were oval-shaped.

 

Conclusion: CBCT is an efficient resource for the diagnosis and location of pulp nodules and may be used to assist clinicians in planning the safest endodontic approach. Understanding the prevalence and distribution of pulp nodules regarding gender and type of teeth is paramount for the proper design of root canal treatment. The main limitation of the study is its single-centre data evaluation, highlighting the need for future multicenter studies from different regions of the country, with larger sample sizes and greater population diversity.

 

Author(s) Details

Ana Maria Veiga Vasques
Department of Restorative Dentistry, Endodontics Section, Araçatuba School of Dentistry, São Paulo State University (FOA/UNESP), São Paulo, Brazil.

 

Ana Laura Ribeiro Ruiz
Department of Restorative Dentistry, Endodontics Section, Araçatuba School of Dentistry, São Paulo State University (FOA/UNESP), São Paulo, Brazil.

 

Gabriele Oliveira Amaral
Department of Restorative Dentistry, Endodontics Section, Araçatuba School of Dentistry, São Paulo State University (FOA/UNESP), São Paulo, Brazil.

 

Ana Cláudia Rodrigues da Silva
Department of Restorative Dentistry, Endodontics Section, Araçatuba School of Dentistry, São Paulo State University (FOA/UNESP), São Paulo, Brazil.

 

Gustavo Sivieri-Araújo
Department of Restorative Dentistry, Endodontics Section, Araçatuba School of Dentistry, São Paulo State University (FOA/UNESP), São Paulo, Brazil.

 

Rogério de Castilho Jacinto
Department of Restorative Dentistry, Endodontics Section, Araçatuba School of Dentistry, São Paulo State University (FOA/UNESP), São Paulo, Brazil.

 

João Eduardo Gomes-Filho
Department of Restorative Dentistry, Endodontics Section, Araçatuba School of Dentistry, São Paulo State University (FOA/UNESP), São Paulo, Brazil.

 

Luciano Tavares Angelo Cintra
Department of Restorative Dentistry, Endodontics Section, Araçatuba School of Dentistry, São Paulo State University (FOA/UNESP), São Paulo, Brazil.

 

Eloi Dezan Júnior
Department of Restorative Dentistry, Endodontics Section, Araçatuba School of Dentistry, São Paulo State University (FOA/UNESP), São Paulo, Brazil.

 

Carlos Roberto Emerenciano Bueno
Department of Restorative Dentistry, Endodontics Section, Araçatuba School of Dentistry, São Paulo State University (FOA/UNESP), São Paulo, Brazil.

 

Please see the book here :- https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/msraa/v12/6361