Exploring Dental Anatomy: An Ex Vivo Comparative Study Between Photon-Counting Detector CT and Cone-Beam CT

The aim of this ex vivo study was to assess the performance of photon-counting detector computed tomography (PCD-CT) compared with cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) at equivalent radiation doses for detecting and evaluating mandibular and dental anatomical structures in porcine cadavers.

This intermodal comparative study evaluated imaging protocols at three radiation dose levels (high: 360 μSv, standard: 145 μSv, low: 20 μSv) in six porcine cadaver heads, analyzing 12 CBCT and 18 PCD-CT volumes. Two blinded observers assessed image quality, artifact susceptibility, and diagnostic interpretability using a 5-point Likert scale (5 = highest, 1 = lowest). Statistical analysis included descriptive statistics and interobserver reliability, assessed by weighted kappa (κ) analysis.

PCD-CT either matched or outperformed CBCT at standard- and low-dose protocols, demonstrating superior anatomy coverage, density, contrast, and less artifact susceptibility. High- and standard-dose protocols achieved perfect scores 5 (SD = 0). At low-dose levels, PCD-CT showed slightly lower scores but still outperformed CBCT. PCD-CT showed minimal artifacts, with no significant artifacts in high and standard doses. Inter- and intra-reader reliability was higher for PCD-CT (κ: 0.694-1; p < 0.001) compared to CBCT (0.55-0.916; p < 0.001), with the difference being largest at low doses.

PCD-CT outperforms CBCT in diagnostic interpretability and artifact reduction across various radiation dose levels, offering a promising alternative for dentomaxillofacial imaging that aligns with the ALADAIP principle.