Brief communication: Bone trabeculae are visible on periapical images

Area of Science:

• Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology
• Bone Histology
• Radiographic Imaging

Background:

• Traditionally, radiographic bone striations were thought to represent the cancellous bone's trabecular pattern.
• Prior research suggested these striations reflect the endosteal surface of mandibular cortical bone, challenging the traditional view.
• The precise origin of trabecular patterns in mandibular radiographs remains a subject of investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To experimentally assess the contribution of dry mandibular cancellous bone to the trabecular pattern observed in intraoral radiographs.
• To clarify the source of bone striations in periapical-type mandibular imaging.

Main Methods:

• Standardized periapical radiographs were taken of a dry human mandible.
• Radiographs were acquired before and after sequential removal of cortical plates and the endosteal interface.
• Blind assessment of bone striations was performed by an oral and maxillofacial radiologist and residents.

Main Results:

• Bone striations were visible on radiographs even after the removal of one or both cortical plates.
• The observed striation patterns remained consistent compared to the intact mandible images.
• These findings indicate that cancellous bone is discernible in radiographic images without intact cortical plates.

Conclusions:

• Cancellous bone significantly contributes to the image of trabecular bone in dry human mandibles.
• The study refutes the exclusive role of cortical bone morphology in defining radiographic trabecular patterns.
• Intraoral radiographs of the mandible reflect contributions from both cancellous and cortical bone structures.