An in vivo comparison of diagnostic information obtained from tuned-aperture computed tomography and conventional dental radiographic imaging modalities.

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to compare diagnostic information obtained by means of 3-dimensional tuned-aperture computed tomography (TACT) and by means of conventional radiography of patients requiring surgery. STUDY DESIGN TACT produced digital images that yielded a series of tomographic slices viewed interactively. Controls were conventional periapical and/or panoramic radiographs. Each of 4 independent dentists performed 2 tasks, one requiring an estimation of confidence in their clinical assessments of the patient and the other requiring an estimation of the resulting diagnostic potential for altering associated treatment options. Data were analyzed through use of the nonparametric Mann-Whitney U Wilcoxon rank sum W test. RESULTS A statistically significant difference for both tasks was observed (2-sided; P<.001). CONCLUSIONS TACT displays were more diagnostically informative and had more impact on potential treatment options than did conventional radiographs.

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