Aim: Digital volume tomography is presented here as an alternative to routine computerized
tomography in the diagnosis and treatment planning of impacted teeth. Material and
Methods: A sample of 20 patients with a variety of types of tooth impaction was investigated
and five representative cases are described. The potential disadvantages of digital
volume tomography—inferior spatial resolution of subtle structures and limited representation
of soft tissues—were of no clinical significance in the presented cases of impacted
teeth. The method provides 3-dimensional images closely akin to regular computerized
tomography imaging, yet the amount of radiation produced is less than one sixth that for
regular computer tomography and its cost is considerably less. Results and Conclusion:
There is reason to recommend the routine adoption of digital volume tomography imaging
for positional diagnosis in most cases of impaction of teeth that are candidates for orthodontic
resolution. World J Orthod 2004;5:120–132
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