IADR Abstract Archives
Does 3D Imaging Enhance Diagnostic Performance in Complex Trauma Cases?
Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of complexity of dental trauma cases on paediatric dentists’ performance when diagnosing traumatic dental injuries (TDI), and whether three- dimensional CBCT imaging techniques present added value over conventional two-dimensional imaging in this situation.
Methods: A panel of nine paediatric dentists was invited to detect, interpret and diagnose radiographic findings in twenty dental trauma cases involving young permanent teeth. Peri-apical radiographs and CBCT images of each case were presented in random order. Findings were recorded using structured scoring sheets. Recordings of an experienced paediatric endodontologist and specialist in dento-maxillofacial radiology were used as benchmark. Results were analysed using a generalized linear mixed model.
Results: Overall the results for detection, interpretation and diagnosis of findings were poor, both using 2D and 3D, with a clear impact of case complexity (P<0.001).
Using 3D resulted in a significant higher sensitivity for detection and interpretation of findings, both in easy and difficult cases (P<0.001). This was not the case for correctly diagnosing, with poorer performance when using 3D in complex cases (P<0.001).
Conclusions: This study provides evidence that case complexity influences diagnostic performance. The use of CBCT enhances detection and interpretation of findings but adversely affects diagnostic performance in complex cases. It is clear that imaging techniques using the third dimension cannot compensate for al low level of training and experience.
Methods: A panel of nine paediatric dentists was invited to detect, interpret and diagnose radiographic findings in twenty dental trauma cases involving young permanent teeth. Peri-apical radiographs and CBCT images of each case were presented in random order. Findings were recorded using structured scoring sheets. Recordings of an experienced paediatric endodontologist and specialist in dento-maxillofacial radiology were used as benchmark. Results were analysed using a generalized linear mixed model.
Results: Overall the results for detection, interpretation and diagnosis of findings were poor, both using 2D and 3D, with a clear impact of case complexity (P<0.001).
Using 3D resulted in a significant higher sensitivity for detection and interpretation of findings, both in easy and difficult cases (P<0.001). This was not the case for correctly diagnosing, with poorer performance when using 3D in complex cases (P<0.001).
Conclusions: This study provides evidence that case complexity influences diagnostic performance. The use of CBCT enhances detection and interpretation of findings but adversely affects diagnostic performance in complex cases. It is clear that imaging techniques using the third dimension cannot compensate for al low level of training and experience.