artifacts in cone-beam computed tomography of a post and core restoration: a case report

abstract: cone-beam computed tomography (cbct) has been accepted as a useful tool for diagnosis and treatment in endodontics. despite a growing trend toward using cbct in endodontic practice the cbct images should be interpreted carefully. this case report presents a case that showed radiolucency inside and around a tooth which was free of pathologic changes under a dental operative microscope and conventional radiographs. a male patient was referred to an endodontic office for evaluation of radiolucency inside and around tooth #21 in his cbct images. the post and crown over the tooth was removed and the tooth was observed under a dental operative microscope. clinical examination as well as direct observation under a dental operative microscope showed no pathological lesions inside and around the tooth. the misdiagnosis was based on an artifact on cbct. despite the advantages of cbct images as a great radiographic aid in endodontic practice, in the presence of metallic structures such as post and core the images should be interpreted with caution.