Sagittal sectional imaging of horizontal root fractures by multifunctional panoramic tomography

Abstract

Abstract : Roentgenologic examination has important roles for the diagnosis of horizontal root fracture. Recently, an instrument of multi-functional panoramic tomography (MPT) has been developed and used for determinations of bone width before dental implantation and the position of impacted tooth. The images obtained by the instrument are thought to provide valuable informations for diagnosing a horizontal root fracture.

 In this study, we compared the sagital images of the dry skull obtained by MPT and those by a apical projection which is used in dental fields and computed tomography (CT). The first incisor tooth with horizontal root fractures was implanted in the alveolar socket in the upper right side of the dry skull. The widths of split fractures were 0.07 and 0.5 mm.

 In the images produced by the apical projection, either of the fracture lines of 0.07 and 0.5 mm in width, the pulp chamber or its surrounding bones was clearly observable, whereas in the sagital MPT images, the two fracture lines were observed, but the line of 0.07 mm was nuclear and the pulp chamber and the surrounding bones were not observable. In the CT images, it was possible to only find the fracture line of 0.5 mm, but both the pulp chamber and the surrounding bones were unclear.