The role of the application of variations in voxel size on noise and spatial resolution of cbct endodontic images

Abstract

CBCT is a diagnostic tool that is very useful for conventional endodontics to improve treatment planning. The resolution and noise of CBCT image results will greatly affect the image quality associated with diagnostic accuracy. Unclear anatomical images are likely to occur because of poor image quality. Factors affecting unclear anatomical images are related to voxel size and there is a need to improve image quality. This was an empirical study which aims to observe the role of the application of variations in voxel size on noise and spatial resolution of CBCT endodontic images. This was a quasi-experimental study with a pre-post test only group design. The study samples were ACR CT phantom images and the images of the test object (human skull). CBCT scanning was conducted with 2 (two) variations in voxel size. Each voxel size was scanned with 6 (six) parameter variations. 3 samples of ACR CT phantom images were taken for each parameter. Statistical data analysis was performed with descriptive statistics and Wilcoxon.The study results showed that voxel size of 180 µm had a lower noise value than the voxel size of 300 µm, there was a significant effect of voxel size on CBCT noise (p-value of 0.026) in the FOV variation of 10x5cm KV90. There was an effect of voxel size on the spatial value of CBCT resolution, although it was not significant. Application of FOV variation of 10x10cm KV90 after Image-J filtering on median filter and sharpening was the most optimal way to produce the best endodontic image quality and anatomical information using CBCT.