Accuracy of Cone-beam Computed Tomography and Periapical Radiography in Endodontically Treated Teeth Evaluation: A Five-Year Retrospective Study

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to evaluate the accuracy of two imaging methods in detecting the apical pathology in endodontically treated teeth. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A clinical examination from a sample of 156 teeth of patients treated by students of masters in endodontics at the Care Center of the Faculty of Dentistry at St. Joseph University, Beirut was done after 5 years of follow-up. Periradicular digital radiographs and a cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT)scans were taken and analyzed statistically using both the Exact Fisher tests and McNemar tests. RESULTS: The prevalence of lesions was significantly higher with CBCT (34.8%), whereas for digital radiography (13.8%). The CBCT was revealed more precise to identify periapical lesions. As for the clinical success, the rate was 82.5%. CONCLUSION: Within the limitations of the present study, CBCT was more reliable in detecting periapical lesions compared with digital periapical radiographs.