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Updated: Aug 9, 2025

Author Spotlight: Three-Dimensional Cephalometric Landmark Annotation Demonstration on Human Cone Beam Computed Tomography Scans
Published on: September 8, 2023
Assessment of thin bony structures using cone-beam computed tomography
Objectives:
To investigate the validity and reliability of marginal bone level measurements on cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) images of thin bony structures using various reconstruction techniques, two image resolutions, and two viewing modes.
Materials And Methods:
CBCT and histologic measurements of the buccal and lingual aspects of 16 anterior mandibular teeth from 6 human specimens were compared. Multiplanar (MPR) and three-dimensional (3D) reconstructions, standard and high resolutions, and gray scale and inverted gray scale viewing modes were assessed.
Results:
Validity of radiologic and histologic comparisons were highest using the standard protocol, MPR, and the inverted gray scale viewing mode (mean difference = 0.02 mm) and lowest using a high-resolution protocol and 3D-rendered images (mean difference = 1.10 mm). Mean differences were significant (P < .05) at the lingual surfaces for both reconstructions, viewing modes (MPR windows), and resolutions.
Conclusions:
Varying the reconstruction technique and viewing mode does not improve the observer's ability to visualize thin bony structures in the anterior mandibular region. The use of 3D-reconstructed images should be avoided when thin cortical borders are suspected. The small difference when using a high-resolution protocol is unjustified due to the higher radiation dose required. Previous studies have focused on technical parameters; the present study explores the next link in the imaging chain.
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