The Use of Cone-Beam Computed Tomography in Furcation Defects Diagnosis

Background: The use of cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT), as an additional diagnostic tool in daily dental practice, has expanded rapidly in recent years. Since CBCT allows assessment of dento-maxillofacial structures in three-dimensional manner, its use may be very tempting in alveolar bone furcation defects (FDs) diagnosis. Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the impact of clinical experience and experience with CBCT on FD detection in patients with periodontitis. Material and Methods: Fifteen patients with chronic generalized severe periodontitis were included in the study. In total, 168 furcation sites were analyzed on CBCT images by a previously trained senior year undergraduate student (O1) and a PhD student with three years of CBCT experience (O2), and compared to clinical findings (probing). CBCT images were analyzed on two separate occasions, within a 7-day interval. FDs were assessed both clinically and on CBCT images, using a dichotomous scale (present/absent). Intraobserver agreement for each observer was calculated by using Kappa coefficient (k). Interobserver agreement and agreement between CBCT and clinical findings for both observers were calculated. Results: Kappa coefficient value for both observers indicated a high intraobserver agreement (k1=0.75; k2=0.94). Interobserver agreement of CBCT image analyses was present in 72.6% (73.0% in maxilla, 71.7% in mandible). Agreement between CBCT image analyses and clinical findings for O1 was 48.8% and 51.2% for O2. Conclusion: It can be assumed that clinical experience and CBCT proficiency do not have an impact on FD detection on CBCT images, if an appropriate training was previously performed.