Image accuracy of plain film radiography and computerized tomography in assessing morphological abnormality of impacted teeth

This study compares the image accuracy of computerized tomography (CT) with that of plain film radiography (PFR) in analyzing the 3-dimensional shape of impacted teeth suspected of being malformed. Eighteen patients with 22 malformed teeth were studied by PFR and CT. Crown shape, root shape, crown/root relationship, and tooth inclination and structure were assessed by PFR and CT CT was found to be superior to PFR in showing the multiplanar shape of tooth crown and root, crown/root relationship, and tooth inclination (P < .001). No difference was found in the representation of tooth structures. The findings demonstrate that CT imaging is useful to diagnose and plan treatment for patients with unerupted and malformed teeth.