A Study of Furcation-defect Volume Obtained from CBCT Images
Objectives: To evaluate the accuracy of estimating furcation-defect volume obtained from cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) images in a clinical setting.
Methods: Six periodontitis patients with buccal degree II furcation involvement of maxillary molars that required additional surgical therapy were recruited, and CBCT was performed. CBCT images of the defects were analyzed, and their volumes were estimated using the Cavalieri principle (CBCT-based volume). Open flap surgery was performed at the furcation area and, following debridement, the silicone impression material (Silagumīĸ [light body]) was used to take an impression of each defect. The volume of each impression (impression volume) was calculated using the relationship between the mass, volume, and density of the material. For each defect, the CBCT-based volume was compared to the impression volume using a paired t-test with p<0.05. Two raters analyzed and estimated the CBCT-based volume. The intra- and inter- rater reliability were determined by the intraclass correlation coefficient statistics (ICC).
Results: The intra- and inter-rater reliability of the assessing method showed excellent results (ICC=0.99 and 0.965, respectively). There was no statistically significant difference between the CBCT-based-volume and the impression-volume groups (p=0.831).
Conclusions: Based on the findings of our study, the volume of the furcation defect can be accurately estimated clinically by means of CBCT images using the Cavalieri principle.