Role of Computed Tomography Scan in Dental Trauma: A Cross-Sectional Study

BACKGROUND: Dental trauma is caused by fracture(s) in the vertical plane and the horizontal plane of roots. The objective of this study is to perform multiple diagnostic modalities for the diagnosis of horizontal root fracture(s) of the tooth. METHODS: A total of 250 patients with dental complaints were subjected to intraoral radiography, multidetector helical computed tomography (MDHCT), and limited cone beam computed tomography (LCBCT). The suspected tooth was extracted, visually inspected, and subjected to microcomputed tomography (micro-CT). Images were observed in the lightbox, and a fracture was considered if it had been directly visualized as radiolucent line traversing tooth root. Wilcoxon test/Tukey post hoc test was performed at 99% of confidence level. RESULTS: With respect to visual inspection, for LCBCT, intraoral radiography, MDHCT, and micro-CT, sensitivities were 0.988, 0.972, 0.967, and 0.979; accuracies were 0.956, 0.785, 0.905, and 0.888; false-positive values were 5, 21, 12, and 11; and false-negative values were 3, 24, 3, and 11, respectively. The area of the image visible at one time was in the order of treatment without radiography < intraoral radiography < MDHCT < micro-CT < LCBCT. CONCLUSION: The LCBCT had the highest sensitivity and accuracy for diagnosis of horizontal tooth root fracture(s). LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: I. TRIAL REGISTRY: researchregistry3647, dated December 31, 2016 (www.researchregistry.com).