2004 Volume 42 Issue 4 Pages 535-540
In this study, using a small-sized dental small irradiation field X-ray CT (3 DX), the hard tissue images of which are sharp using a smaller exposure dose, we observed unerupted maxillary teeth, the radiographic understanding of which has been considered difficult for anatomical morphological reasons.
1. By observing the surface parallel to the dentition, we found that the second molars rotated in the distal direction.
2. By observing the surface parallel to the occlusal plane, we found that the second molars were located in the buccal direction compared with the first molars.
3. It was confirmed that the alveolar bone adjacent to the area in the tooth eruptive direction was partially absent. Furthermore, the area of alveolar bone dehiscence showed a smaller value compared with the tooth crown width of the second molars.
4. By observing the surface vertically sectioning the dentition, wefound that the root apex of the second molar tooth crown was located more in the cranial side than in the hard palatine side.
5. With 3 DX image observation, the positional relationships of the hard tissue and unerupted teeth were clearly confirmed.
