Dental imaging using an ultra-high resolution photon-counting CT system

Clinical photon-counting CT (PCCT) offers a spatial resolution of about 200 µm and might allow for acquisitions close to conventional dental CBCTs. In this study, the capabilities of this new system in comparison to dental CBCTs shall be evaluated. All 8 apical osteolysis identified in CBCT were identified by both readers in all three PCCT scan protocols. Mean visibility scores showed statistical significant differences for root canals(p = 0.0001), periodontal space(p = 0.0090), cortical(p = 0.0003) and spongious bone(p = 0.0293) in favor of high and medium dose PCCT acquisitions. Overall, both devices showed excellent image quality of all structures assessed. Interrater-agreement showed high values for all protocols in all structures. Bland-Altman plots revealed a high concordance of both modalities with the reference measurements. In vitro, ultra-high resolution PCCT can reliably identify different diagnostic entities and structures relevant for dental diagnostics similar to conventional dental CBCT with similar radiation dose. Acquisitions of five cadaveric heads were performed in an experimental CT-system containing an ultra-high resolution PC detector (0.25 mm pixel size in isocenter) as well as in a dental CBCT scanner. Acquisitions were performed using dose levels of 8.5 mGy, 38.0 mGy and 66.5 mGy (CTDI16cm) in case of PCCT and of 8.94 mGy (CTDI16cm) in case of CBCT. The quality of delineation of hard tissues, root-canals, periodontal-space as well as apical osteolysis was assessed by two readers. Mean visibility scores and interrater-agreement (overall agreement (%)) were calculated. Vertical bone loss (bl) and thickness (bt) of the buccal bone lamina of 15 lower incisors were measured and compared to reference measurements by ore microscopy and clinical probing.