Semester

Spring

Date of Graduation

2009

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Type

MS

College

School of Dentistry

Department

Not Listed

Committee Chair

Peter Ngan.

Abstract

Objectives. Clinicians are always searching for a non-invasive method to diagnose periodontal defects. Two-dimensional radiographs are limited in the ability to describe a three-dimensional periodontal defect. Ultrasound has been used in dentistry for caries detection and enamel cracks diagnosis. Its non-ionizing radiation properties are attractive to clinical use in dentistry. The purpose of the present study is to investigate the efficacy of ultrasound imaging to accurately detect periodontal defects.;Methods. Twenty mandibles with simulated defects of specific dimensions were imaged using ultrasound and measured. The measurements were compared to the actual defects and to 2-D radiographs measurements. A panel of three evaluators compared ultrasound images of simulated defects to 2-D radiographs of the same defects. 3-D reconstructed images of two mandibles with natural periodontal defects were compared to cone beam images of the same mandibles.;Results. The results have shown that conventional radiographs were not accurate in imaging the posterior mandible, while measurements made from ultrasound images were accurate for both anterior and posterior mandibles. Measurements of the simulated defects from ultrasound images were accurate. The ultrasound images were rated favorably in image clarity, image detail, overall image quality and fatigue level in comparison to conventional radiographs and cone beam imaging.;Conclusions. These results suggest that ultrasound imaging may provide a reliable diagnostic alternative to conventional two-dimensional radiographs. Optimizing ultrasound technology for use in dentistry may increase interest in its use. Enough interest exists for further clinical evaluation.

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