Linear measurements of human permanent dental development stages using cone-beam computed tomography: a preliminary study

Abstract

Objective: To determine the linear measurements of human permanent dentition de- velopment stages using Cone-Beam Computed Tomography. Methods: This study was based on databases of private radiology clinics involving 18 patients (13 male and 5 fe- male, with age ranging from 3 to 20 years). Cone-Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) images were acquired with i-CAT system and measured with a specific function of the i-CAT software. Two hundred and thirty-eight teeth were analyzed in different develop- ment stages in the coronal and sagittal planes. The method was based on delimitation and measurement of the distance between anatomical landmarks corresponding to the development of the dental crowns and roots. These measurements allowed the develop- ment of a quantitative model to evaluate the initial and final development stages for all dental groups. Results and Conclusions: The measurements acquired from different dental groups are in agreement with estimates of investigations previously published. CBCT images of different development stages may contribute to diagnosis, planning and outcome of treatment in various dental specialties. The dimensions of dental crowns and roots may have important clinical and research applications, constituting a noninva- sive technique which contributes to in vivo studies. However, further studies are recom- mended to minimize methodological variables.