First molar radicular bone near the maxillary sinus: a comparison of CBCT analysis and gross anatomic dissection for small bony measurement

Objectives. This study assessed agreement of cone-beam computerized tomography (CBCT) measurements against those obtained by gross dissection and physical calipers for dimensions of maxillary bone around first molar roots in cadaveric specimens. Study design. A total of 37 human maxilla pairs with 69 first molars were analyzed by CBCT with a resolution of 200 mu m and the results compared with gross dissection. Matched data sets of 414 data points (6 data points per tooth) were compared using Bland-Altman statistics. An operational definition of clinical accuracy was proposed. Results. The data sets displayed a Pearson correlation coefficient of r = 0.85. Analysis revealed a positive bias for CBCT of 0.4 mm with a standard deviation of 1.1 mm relative to gross dissection. Less bone around first molar roots was demonstrated than reported in available literature. Conclusions. High-resolution CBCT measurements were acceptable for clinical accuracy and study of the maxillary sinus. (Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod 2009; 108: 264-269)