抄録
Radiography by computed tomography for dental and jaw use (dental CT) has recentry attracted attention as a new diagnostic imaging technique in dentistry. The 3DX Multi-Image Micro CT® (3DX, Morita) is the first exclusively registered dental CT in Japan. A high-definition 3-dimensional image of a cylindrical imaging area, 40 mm in diameter and 30 mm in height, can be taken by using a small-type conical beam X-ray CT. An arbitrary part can be sliced and observed from 3 different directions by using a 3DX-exclusive integrated image processing software, and it can be re-sliced repeatedly at arbitrary angles to reconstruct other images. Pictures of 3DX can be taken by a low dose of irradiation equal to that used for panoramic radiography. Therefore, this device is very effective for the examination and diagnosis of hard tissues of the maxillofacial region.
This study evaluated the effectiveness of the 3DX for examining and diagnosing various clinical cases in endodontic therapy.
The image obtained by 3DX clearly revealed the presence and expansion of periapical lesions of roots, the presence and position of root fracture, and perforations, as well as afforded prognosis.
In conclusion, the 3DX, a newly developed dental CT, is very useful to examine cases of the above-mentioned disorders that can not be easily identified by the usual intraoral radiography or panoramic radiography, and it thus allows proper diagnosis of such cases.
