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Department of Clinical Dentistry, University of Bergen, Bergen, NorwayRegion Dalarna and the Center for Clinical Research, Association with Uppsala University, Falun, Uppsala, Sweden
To investigate how cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) affects the therapeutic planning of impacted maxillary canines.
Study Design
A total of 132 impacted canines from 89 pediatric patients were collected from 3 specialist clinics in Stockholm, Sweden. An interdisciplinary therapy planning team consisting of 5 dental specialists evaluated each case and chose their preferred treatment alternative, initially without and later with CBCT images, to decide whether CBCT was justified for therapy planning. Predefined variables measurable using only 2-dimensional (2D) assessments were analyzed using stepwise logistic regression analyses.
Results
The CBCT was considered indicated in 47% of the cases. Additional information from CBCT led to a treatment decision change in 9.8%. Significant 2D predictors for CBCT justification were horizontal canine angulation compared with vertical angulation (odds ratio [OR] = 10.9), extraction strategy involvement (OR = 6.7), and buccally positioned canines compared with palatal (OR = 5.3), central (OR = 25.0), and distal or uncertain positions (OR = 7.7).
Conclusions
The benefit-risk assessment of CBCT for impacted canines may be reinforced by performing and applying justification decisions for CBCT acquisition at the therapeutic thinking level. If preliminary treatment planning motivates further in-depth investigation of either root status or tooth location, a CBCT is indicated.
Statement of Clinical Relevance
Cone beam computed tomography examinations entail a higher dose level than intraoral or panoramic radiographs and may not always be necessary for therapeutic planning. With more clearly defined indications, the dose burden of cone beam computed tomography examinations intended for impacted maxillary canines can be limited.
Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) is widely used in dentistry, providing detailed information of hard tissues in 3 dimensions (3D).
Comparison of two cone beam computed tomographic systems versus panoramic imaging for localization of impacted maxillary canines and detection of root resorption.
There are currently concerns, especially regarding children, that CBCT examinations are being performed routinely on orthodontic patients, even when unjustified.
From a perspective of radiation protection, considering the risks that radiation entails is especially important regarding pediatric patients, who are ≥3 times as radiosensitive as adults.
European Comission. Radiation protection no. 172: conebeam CT for dental and maxillofacial radiology. Evidence based guidelines. (The SEDENTEXTCT project). Available at: https://ec.europa.eu/energy/sites/ener/files/documents/172.pdf. Accessed March 26, 2022.
A missed diagnosis or delayed treatment results in 48% of patients developing root resorption of permanent adjacent incisors, which, in turn, creates a need for future treatments, including orthodontic alignment, surgical exposure, and extrusion of the canine, extractions, or even implants.
The canines’ positions are first assessed based on clinical examinations. If an unerupted maxillary canine cannot be located by palpation by 10 to 11 years of age, or if root resorptions on adjacent teeth are suspected, conventional 2D radiographs consisting of periapical intraoral radiographs in 2 different projections and panoramic images should be taken to visualize the relationship between the canine and adjacent teeth.
A limitation of these 2D radiographs is that maxillary canines are often superimposed or overlap the incisor's root, making possible resorption difficult to assess in the bucco-palatal plane. The literature has suggested that approximately half of existing root resorptions are overlooked when clinicians rely solely on 2D images for their discovery.
Thus, when 2D radiographs cannot provide enough necessary diagnostic information, the current European guidelines recommend supplementing with a CBCT examination.
European Comission. Radiation protection no. 172: conebeam CT for dental and maxillofacial radiology. Evidence based guidelines. (The SEDENTEXTCT project). Available at: https://ec.europa.eu/energy/sites/ener/files/documents/172.pdf. Accessed March 26, 2022.
Though CBCT has obvious diagnostic advantages, such as information about canine-induced root resorptions (CIRRs), there is no strong evidence to support using CBCT as the first choice of imaging modality when assessing impacted canines.
European Comission. Radiation protection no. 172: conebeam CT for dental and maxillofacial radiology. Evidence based guidelines. (The SEDENTEXTCT project). Available at: https://ec.europa.eu/energy/sites/ener/files/documents/172.pdf. Accessed March 26, 2022.
Cone-beam computed tomography vs conventional radiography in visualization of maxillary impacted-canine localization: a systematic review of comparative studies.
Little is known about the efficiency of CBCT on therapy planning and, ultimately, the outcome of treatment for patients with impacted canines. Most of the studies that investigate CBCT and IMC are limited at the level of technical and diagnostic efficiency of CBCT.
Comparison of two cone beam computed tomographic systems versus panoramic imaging for localization of impacted maxillary canines and detection of root resorption.
Comparative analysis of traditional radiographs and cone-beam computed tomography volumetric images in the diagnosis and treatment planning of maxillary impacted canines.
Although understanding CBCT indications on different levels of efficacy is important and has been described, few studies have been performed on the therapeutic thinking level.
Comparative analysis of traditional radiographs and cone-beam computed tomography volumetric images in the diagnosis and treatment planning of maxillary impacted canines.
This study aimed to (1) investigate how CBCT affects the treatment plan of patients with impacted canines and (2) identify possible clinical and 2D imaging markers for the justified CBCT examination at the therapeutic thinking level.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Ethical considerations
The regional ethics review boards in Stockholm, Sweden (Dnr: 2013/1701-31/3, Dnr: 2015/24232, and Dnr 2020-00676), and in Bergen, Norway (Dnr: 77310), approved the study protocol.
Case selection and data collection
This study is a retrospective cohort study, conforming to STROBE (STrengthening the Reporting of OBservational studies in Epidemiology) guidelines. All CBCT examinations regarding potential IMC were consecutively collected from 3 specialist clinics in Stockholm, Sweden. These clinics were Karolinska Institutet (2009-2012), Folktandvården Eastman Institutet (2009-2014), and Huddinge Specialistklinik (2012-2019).
Inclusion and exclusion criteria
To be included, the cases were required to have CBCT examinations due to maxillary canine impaction, clinical photos, and a panoramic radiograph taken within a 9-month cutoff period before the CBCT date. All of the additional periapical intraoral radiographs and cephalograms taken within the same cutoff period were also included. After the initial screening, 170 patients met the inclusion criteria. The exclusion criteria were patients with craniofacial syndromes, cleft lip/palate, odontomas, cysts, previous traumatic dental injuries, or ongoing orthodontic treatment as well as patients with improper journal documentation. In total, 81 patients were excluded because of these factors or suboptimal radiographic 2D/3D material.
A total of 132 impacted canines from 89 cases fulfilled the inclusion and exclusion criteria. A description of the patients included in this study can be seen in Table I. The following information was collected for each patient: sex, date of birth, anamnesis, uni- or bilateral impaction, acquisition date of all radiographs, and clinical photos.
Material for the 2D radiographic analysis was imported to Planmeca Romexis research database software version 3.8.3.R (Planmeca, Helsinki, Finland) at Karolinska Institutet. The CBCT volumes were exported and viewed with each respective unit's software viewer. The CBCT units used to obtain all 3D volumetric data were the Promax3D (Planmeca, Helsinki, Finland), the Veraviewepocs 3D R100/F40 (J. Morita Mfg. Corp., Tokyo, Japan), and NewTom 3G (Quantitative Radiology s.r.l., Verona, Italy). The clinical default settings for each CBCT device were used at each respective clinic at that time of exposure, adjusted for individual patient size and age.
Radiographic assessment
Before the therapeutic planning, 2 dentomaxillofacial radiologists jointly performed the radiographic assessment for all 2D images. After a time lag of 6 months, the same assessment was done for all of the 3D images. The radiologists were blinded at the patient level and did not have access to CBCT images during the 2D evaluation. The images were viewed under identical viewing conditions consisting of a dimly-lit room, a 19-in screen with 1280 × 1024 resolution (Eizo Flexscan, model MX190, EIZO Nanao Corporation, Hakui, Ishikawa, Japan), and a Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine (DICOM) screen display, calibrated as described by Barten.
The radiologists were free to adjust the image quality to their individual preferences and completed the assessment with no time limit.
Assessment protocols 2D and 3D
The protocol used for the radiographic assessment consisted of the following radiographic variables, as summarized in a supplemental document: Canine eruption angulation, canine cusp position, root development stage, presence of root resorption on the lateral incisor, the distance of the medial position of the impacted canine's crown from the midline, the angle between the canine midline and the maxillary midline, the angle between the canine midline and the adjacent lateral incisor, the distance between the canine cusp tip and the occlusal line, and the presence of anomalies.
A review of cone beam computed tomography for the diagnosis of root resorption associated with impacted canines, introducing an innovative root resorption scale.
Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol.2016; 122: 765-771
For each case (n = 89), a pair of PowerPoint v16 (Microsoft Corp., Redmond, WA) presentations were made. The first presentation consisted of the patient's age, sex, anamnesis, clinical photos, and registered diagnostic information based on the 2D radiographs. The second presentation included the referral information in addition to the patient information listed above and registered diagnostic information found on CBCT images. All of the cases were evaluated by an interdisciplinary expert group, consisting of the 2 radiologists who performed the initial assessment as well as 2 orthodontists and a pedodontist, each with 10+ years of experience in their specialty.
To ensure familiarity with the cases, the 2D evaluation PowerPoints were distributed to the individual members of the expert group a week before the group discussion. During the group discussion, the interdisciplinary experts were gathered together and all 2D PowerPoints were presented by R.L.I. The expert group held a discussion and then completed a questionnaire consisting of treatment plan choices. A treatment plan was formed based on consensus, according to the following predefined treatment alternatives:
•
No surgical exposure therapies: Nonextraction, extraction of the adjacent premolar, or extraction of the maxillary lateral incisor
•
Surgical exposure with extrusion therapies: Nonextraction, extraction of the adjacent premolar, or extraction of the maxillary lateral incisor
•
Therapies involving extraction only: The impacted maxillary canine or the deciduous canine
•
Other alternatives: Observation or none of the other therapy alternatives.
The group then selected from the following orthodontic approaches following the therapy choice: expansion and leveling, space closure and leveling, or not relevant.
Immediately after the 2D assessment, the second PowerPoint was presented to the expert group by R.L.I. and volumetric images were demonstrated for the group by the dentomaxillofacial radiologists. The expert group held another discussion and completed the same questionnaire as above, and in an additional questionnaire ranked the level of CBCT indication on the following scale: 1 = definitely not indicated, 2 = probably not indicated, 3 = uncertain, 4 = probably indicated, or 5 = definitely indicated.
Statistical analysis
The mean values with SDs and ranges were presented for the continuous variables, and the frequencies and percentages were presented for the categorical variables, based on the number of CBCT examinations that were deemed justified after viewing the CBCT, as well as to observe when the therapy plan differed between 2D images and 3D images. Crude logistic regression models were performed to identify when CBCT was considered justified by evaluating statistically significant clinical, radiographic, or therapy-based variables based on the 2D therapy discussion. To identify whether multiple variables were statistically significant associated with cases that had a CBCT indication, a stepwise logistic regression model was performed. The stepwise regression was applied to avoid overfitting the adjusted model including nonsignificant variables. The cutoffs for age was set to 13 years, the angulation of the canine to the midline at 33.5°, the angulation to the lateral incisor to 42.5°, and the distance of the canine cusp to the occlusal line of the maxilla to 13.2 mm. Regarding CBCT justification, definitely not indicated and probably not indicated answers were seen as CBCT not being justified, and unsure, probably indicated, and definitely indicated were seen as CBCT being justified. In this model, the significance level for entering a variable was set to .15, and the significance for removing the variable from the model was set to .3. Because 43 patients had bilateral impaction, robust variance estimates adjusting for the bilaterality were used in the logistic regression analyses. In the logistic regressions, only the patients with complete data for the included variables were used for the estimation. Hence, the number of included patients varied slightly.
The statistical analyses were performed using the statistical package Stata v17 (Stata Corp., College Station, TX USA). P values <.05 were considered statistically significant.
RESULTS
The mean age of the 89 included patients was 13.3 ± 1.8 years (range, 10.0-18.9 years). Of these patients, 55 were female (61.8%) and 34 were male (38.2%).
Effect of CBCT on therapeutic thinking
The panel found an indication for CBCT in 62 of the 132 impacted canines based on the 3D material (47%). The therapy choice changed for 13 of 132 impacted teeth after additional diagnostic information from 3D imaging (9.8%). Of these, the therapy changed from nonextractions to extraction therapy in 6 cases. Additionally, 6 cases changed from extracting premolars to extracting lateral incisors or the impacted canine. In 1 case, the therapy changed from extracting the impacted canine to extracting the central incisor. All 13 cases of changed therapy resulted in a final therapy choice involving the extraction of a permanent tooth, and the root status of adjacent incisors was essential for the choice of extraction.
Prediction of CBCT at the therapeutic thinking level
The descriptive data based on ordinal data as well as the continuous data for CBCT indication are provided in Tables II and III, respectively.
Table IIDescriptive information of categorical variables.
The eruption angle of the canine, canine crown position, root development stage, severity of CIRR, extraction therapy, and the medial position of the canine crown were significant predictors for CBCT indication in the crude regression analyses (P < .05, Table IV). The crude analyses showed that impacted canines with a horizontal angulation had a 26 times higher odds for CBCT compared with impacted canines with the normal/vertical position (P = .006), whereas the odds were 10.9 times higher in the adjusted model. When the cusp of the canine was located buccal, there was a 5.3 times higher likelihood that a CBCT was needed compared to palatally placed canines, but the spread of the OR was large. If the extraction strategy was involved in the therapy planning, the OR was 6.7 in the adjusted model. When the severity of the CIRR was moderate, deep, or uncertain, a significantly lower odds was found in both the crude and adjusted models compared to “none” (OR = 0.26 and 0.12, respectively).
Table IVCrude and stepwise regression analysis of 2D session variables for CBCT indication.
Crude
Stepwise
Predicted variables
OR (95% CI)
P value
OR (95% CI)
P value
Patient-related predictors
Sex
Male
1
ref
Female
1.00 (0.41-2.43)
.999
Uni- or bilateral IMC
Unilateral
1
ref
Bilateral
0.45 (0.19-1.05)
.065
Age (y)
0.81 (0.34-1.94)
.640
2D radiographic predictors
Eruption angulation of canine
Vertical
1
ref
1
ref
Mesioangular
1.12 (0.34-3.76)
.848
1.56 (0.42-5.79)
.504
Horizontal
26.00 (2.54-266.55)
.006
10.92 (1.65-72.42)
.013
Canine crown position
Central
0.20 (0.05-0.85)
.03
0.04 (0.01-0.26)
.001
Buccal
1
ref
1
ref
Palatal
0.16 (0.05-0.47)
.001
0.19 (0.04-0.98)
.047
Uncertain/distal
0.25 (0.08-0.77)
.016
0.13 (0.03-0.53)
.005
Root development stage
Ongoing/open apex
1
ref
1
ref
Apex closure/completely developed
1.39 (0.54-3.61)
.494
2.79 (0.62-12.50)
.181
Uncertain
4.33 (1.06-17.72)
.041
5.69 (0.68-47.74)
.109
Severity of CIRR
None
1
ref
1
ref
Mild
0.40 (0.10-1.60)
.192
0.22 (0.01-3.82)
.295
Moderate, deep, or uncertain
0.26 (0.10-0.69)
.007
0.12 (0.03-0.52)
.005
Medial position of the canine crown
Distal to the lateral incisor
1
ref
Distal ½ of the lateral incisor
0.56 (0.14-2.23)
.413
Mesial ½ of the lateral incisor
0.25 (0.06-0.97)
.045
Mesial to the lateral incisor
0.42 (0.11-1.61)
.204
Angulation of canine eruption to lateral incisor
2.05 (0.99-4.22)
.052
Distance in millimeters of cusp to occlusal line of maxilla
1.94 (0.89-4.22)
.093
Therapy-related predictors
Extraction therapy of permanent teeth
Yes
1
ref
1
ref
No
0.08 (0.03-0.22)
< .001
0.15 (0.04-0.58)
.006
Space management
Leveling/irrelevant
1
ref
1
ref
Expansion
0.48 (0.17-1.33)
.158
0.58 (0.14-2.45)
.458
Closure
2.76 (0.79-9.63)
.112
2.11 (0.38-11.62)
.392
Eruption angle of the canine, canine crown position, root development stage, severity of canine-induced root resorption, extraction therapy, and space management, all with a P value <.05 in the ordinary adjusted model, were considered as variables in the stepwise multivariable prediction model for cone beam computed tomography indication.
This study aimed to derive evidence that may contribute to guidelines clarifying clinical situations where CBCT is considered beneficial for both clinicians and pediatric patients with IMC. Based on the interdisciplinary evaluation, more than half of the cases did not have a justified indication for CBCT, implying that more than half of the CBCT exams may not have been necessary for treatment decision making. A large percentage of cases included in this material were not seen to have required a CBCT for therapy planning. This may partially be due to the material being collected before 2012 from 2 clinics, because clearly established European clinical guidelines for the use of CBCT in the case of IMC were published in 2012.
European Comission. Radiation protection no. 172: conebeam CT for dental and maxillofacial radiology. Evidence based guidelines. (The SEDENTEXTCT project). Available at: https://ec.europa.eu/energy/sites/ener/files/documents/172.pdf. Accessed March 26, 2022.
There is currently no consensus over whether diagnostic information obtained from 2D images and 3D images leads to a different treatment plan. Haney et al. studied therapy plans decided by 4 orthodontists considering 25 impacted canines and found a change in therapy plan in 27% of the teeth, suggesting that CBCT examinations influence orthodontic therapy planning.
Comparative analysis of traditional radiographs and cone-beam computed tomography volumetric images in the diagnosis and treatment planning of maxillary impacted canines.
Botticelli et al. showed similar results of more active orthodontic treatment following 3D image sets of 39 impacted canines based on 8 dentists who had not completed their postgraduate orthodontic education.
In an earlier CT study of 113 impacted canines with 1 orthodontist, the 3D information influenced the extraction strategy, often resulting in a different tooth being chosen for extraction than in the original plan based on 2D images alone.
In contrast, Alqerban et al. demonstrated, in a study based on 4 orthodontists’ analyses of 40 patient cases, that CBCT did not significantly influence the therapy plan for impacted canines, which the results of this study also supported.
None of these studies had an interdisciplinary approach, however, and differing experiences or opinions among observers may affect result interpretation.
A significant 2D radiographic predictor for CBCT justification was a panoramic image providing a rough estimation that the impacted canine has a horizontal angulation. Such canines or canines located in an unfavorable position, high up in the hard palate, are difficult to assess with only 2D radiographs. In the case of canine extraction, surgeons often require an exact localization of the tooth in order to know the most appropriate site for surgical access before surgical removal or surgical exposure, and deciphering this using intraoral images is of little use because of the unfavorable position of the tooth. A CBCT provides information about the exact position of the canine in relation to surrounding vital anatomic structures, such as the nasal cavity, root apices, and the foramen incisivum. A CBCT not only helps the clinician determine the most appropriate surgical access site, but it also provides vital information about the proximity to other anatomic structures of interest, possible ankylosis, or complicated root morphology (e.g., dilacerated roots).
Buccally placed canines had higher odds than canines placed in other positions that a CBCT was needed for therapy decision making, with a 5.3 times higher risk compared with palatally placed canines. Our results were in agreement with previous studies in which root resorption on adjacent incisors was reported to be 33% to 50% due to buccally displaced teeth.
Preliminary therapy planning involving extraction of permanent teeth increased the need for CBCT. Simultaneously, root resorptions of the lateral incisors were only an issue when knowledge of the suspected resorption's location and degree was essential for extraction strategy planning and suspected resorption was not seen in the 2D images (Fig. 1, Fig. 2). Requesting information about root resorptions is not always indicated for further therapy planning. When the preliminary therapy plan involves possible permanent tooth extraction based on 2D radiographs, alertness to root resorptions is important, and this diagnostic information should be requested in referrals.
Fig. 1A case example of 2-dimensional information available for the preliminary therapy planning and the first session. Clinical photos, a panoramic image, a cephalometric image, and 4 intraoral images were available in this case. The preliminary therapy plan was nonextraction and surgical exposure and extrusion of tooth 23. The specialists determined this case to have an indication for a cone beam computed tomography evaluation because of suspected root resorption that would be critical to a successful orthodontic treatment.
Fig. 2The cone beam computed tomography image of the same case seen in Figure 1, depicting slices from the coronal, sagittal, and axial planes. After additional cone beam computed tomography information, the therapy for this case changed from surgical exposure and extrusion of tooth 23 without any permanent tooth extractions to extraction of tooth 22 in addition to extrusion. Tooth 23 is located buccal to tooth 22. The lateral incisor's resorption is deep.
The analysis of different angles measured in the panoramic image was not significant. The angulation of canine eruption in relation to the focal trough, patient position, and head alignment may complicate angle measurement interpretation. Caution should therefore be taken when interpreting angulations because the panorama technique is sensitive to patient placement.
This study was based on interdisciplinary virtual case discussions, which closed possible knowledge gaps between disciplines. The management of patients with impacted canines often involves communication between the orthodontists and dentomaxillofacial radiologists, as well as pediatric dental surgeons. The involved disciplines have their own perspectives when evaluating whether CBCT is needed. Though radiologists understand the strength and limitations of different radiologic modalities well, they need to know what diagnostic information is expected and essential for the treatment when performing a benefit-risk assessment. The expected diagnostic information from either orthodontists or pediatric dental surgeons varies depending on the preliminary treatment plan based on 2D imaging. Therefore, the interdisciplinary approach in the present study ensured the best possible decision-making outcome regarding CBCT indications. Based on the results, we recommend that preliminary therapy planning involving extraction of permanent teeth be addressed in the referral along with the reasons for CBCT request, such as localization of the impacted canine/investigation of possible root resorption. Because the prescription of CBCT should preferably be based on the future treatment plan, the referrals should be ordered by the clinician who plans and will carry out the treatment.
Our results indicated that performing a justification process at the treatment decision level can reinforce the benefit-risk assessment of CBCT examinations. In doing so, the importance of referral content and effective collaboration between different specialties is emphasized.
Limitations
A limitation of this study was the retrospective nature of the study design, because the image quality of the 2D images could not be standardized; thus, the diagnostic efficiency of 2D imaging might have been underestimated. A larger prospective study in which more uniform images are obtained, containing qualified intraoral radiographs using the parallax technique, could improve the validity of the results.
CONCLUSIONS
1.
The benefit-risk assessment of CBCT for impacted canines may be reinforced by performing and applying justification decisions for CBCT acquisition at the therapeutic thinking level.
2.
When knowledge of root resorptions or canine location is essential for deciding an extraction strategy after preliminary 2D treatment planning, a CBCT is indicated. However, when extraction of permanent teeth is not an alternative for the orthodontic treatment, a CBCT is not indicated to elucidate root status.
Acknowledgments
The authors thank Eastman Institute Folktandvården Stockholm, Karolinska Insitutet, and Huddinge Specialist Clinic for providing patient information.
Presentation
Preliminary results of this study were presented at the International Congress of DentoMaxilloFacial Radiology in Gwangju, South Korea, in April 2021 and the Odontologisk Riksstämma, a national dental conference in Stockholm, Sweden, in November 2021, both in the form of an oral presentation.
Funding
This work was financed by Folktandvården Dalarna and the Center for Clinical Research of Dalarna in Sweden, the Stockholm County Council of Sweden (ALF project), the Steering Committee at Karolinska Institutet and Stockholm County Council for Odontology Research (SOF project), and Norway's Research Council (NFR).
Comparison of two cone beam computed tomographic systems versus panoramic imaging for localization of impacted maxillary canines and detection of root resorption.
European Comission. Radiation protection no. 172: conebeam CT for dental and maxillofacial radiology. Evidence based guidelines. (The SEDENTEXTCT project). Available at: https://ec.europa.eu/energy/sites/ener/files/documents/172.pdf. Accessed March 26, 2022.
Cone-beam computed tomography vs conventional radiography in visualization of maxillary impacted-canine localization: a systematic review of comparative studies.
Comparative analysis of traditional radiographs and cone-beam computed tomography volumetric images in the diagnosis and treatment planning of maxillary impacted canines.
A review of cone beam computed tomography for the diagnosis of root resorption associated with impacted canines, introducing an innovative root resorption scale.
Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol.2016; 122: 765-771
The variable contains missing data of 1 tooth.
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