Tomografía Cone Beam como instrumento complementario de diagnóstico para la detección de fracturas dentales verticales.

Abstract

Introduction: Root fractures are a type of dental damage with an unfavorable prognosis, which increases the importance of an accurate initial diagnosis. Traditional methods used to diagnose vertical dental fractures include transillumination, projection radiography, bite testing, periodontal probing, sinus tract detection, and direct visual examination. Unfortunately, all of these methods have limited diagnostic reliability because most signs and symptoms are nonspecific. Therefore, we use complementary tests that will allow us to deepen the final diagnosis, such as CBCT. Objective: To establish what is the contribution of CBCT as a complementary diagnostic instrument in the detection of vertical dental fractures. Materials and methods: Search for scientific articles published between 2015 and 2020, PICO analysis, metasearch engines, Pubmed, Google Scholar, Cochrane Library. Analysis and discussion of results: CBCT is the most relevant diagnostic method for the detection of a vertical root fracture since it provides a better visualization of the tooth and adjacent bone structures, thus complementing the information obtained with conventional and digital radiography obtaining a more accurate diagnosis and more timely treatment. Conclusion: CBCT uses a lower radiation dose compared to conventional tomography, being able to work with a reduced field of vision, determining the quality of the tomographic image, in addition to the sensitivity and specificity of the CBCT diagnostic instrument is high, which makes it a reliable test when detecting a vertical root fracture.