CBCT vs Plain film radiographs in hypodontia patients
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Comparison of CBCT vs. plain film radiographs in the assessment of inter-radicular space in hypodontia patients-in vitro study
IRAS ID
241700
Contact name
Aman Ulhaq
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Edinburgh
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 1 months, 1 days
Research summary
The aim of this research is to determine how accurate plain radiographs (X-rays) and Cone Beam Computed Tomography images(CBCT-3D scans) are in determining the spaces between the roots of teeth (inter-radicular width). This is important for patients who have missing teeth (hypodontia), as often orthodontic appliances (braces) are required to move the teeth before a replacement tooth can be provided in the space such as a bridge or dental implant. The research will use extracted human teeth. These teeth will be provided from patients who require their removal as part of their dental treatment. Both children and adult patients will be considered for the study. The teeth will be set into plaster and wax models and these will be scanned using different machines and X-ray imaging methods. The research will investigate positional errors such as changing the degree the models are placed in the scanners which can happen when a patient moves or is not positioned completely correctly and see if this influences the measurements obtained. This will provide useful data to clinicians when they are interpreting their radiographs in assessing these spaces in patients with missing teeth. This assessment is key when deciding if it is the correct time to finish the brace treatment and move to the phase of replacing the missing tooth or teeth. It is hoped that this study will give information on the best method to evaluate space between roots of teeth.
The traditional method would be with plain radiographs but it is documented that a CBCT is more accurate, however the is a much larger dose of radiation associated with a 3D scan therefore the risk of this versus the benefit of more detail and accuracy from the scan must be weighed up. This study hopes to add information to enable clinicians to decide this.REC name
London - Stanmore Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
18/LO/1127
Date of REC Opinion
21 Jun 2018
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion