Diagnostic Accuracy of Cone-Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) in Identifying Periapical Lesions: A Comparative Study with Conventional Radiography.

INTRODUCTION

Periapical lesions are a common clinical finding, often detected through imaging techniques such as conventional radiography (CR) and cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). This study aims to compare the diagnostic accuracy of CBCT with CR in identifying periapical lesions.

METHODS

This comparative study involved patients undergoing dental treatment. Each patient received both CBCT and conventional radiography for periapical lesion detection. The diagnostic outcomes of both modalities were evaluated based on lesion size, position, and diagnostic clarity. Statistical analysis was conducted to compare the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of CBCT and CR.

RESULTS

CBCT demonstrated superior diagnostic accuracy compared to CR in detecting periapical lesions. The average sensitivity and specificity of CBCT were higher, particularly in detecting smaller and more complex lesions. Statistical analysis showed a significant difference between CBCT and CR in lesion detection ( < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

CBCT is a more reliable imaging modality for the detection of periapical lesions compared to conventional radiography, offering higher diagnostic accuracy. Further studies are needed to establish CBCT as a standard diagnostic tool in clinical practice.