Aim of the study: The aim of the present work was to evaluate the alveolar bone level and periodontal ligament space thickness of teeth that have apical periodontitis and compare it with teeth without apical periodontitis using cone beam CT images.
Materials & Methods: The study design was a retrospective cross sectional epidemiological study for evaluation of periodontal tissue of 100 teeth using cone beam CT images. The sample consisted of CBCT images of the maxillofacial region from database of 50 patients which were selected from Riyadh Colleges of Dentistry and Pharmacy. The 100 CBCT images were analyzed for the following variables 1-Periodontal ligament space of buccal surfaces at 3 sites cervical, middle and apical third. 2- Periodontal ligament space of lingual surfaces at 3 sites cervical, middle and apical third. 3-Alveolar bone level: the distance from CEJ to the crest of alveolar bone mesially and distally. These variables were detected on teeth with periapical periodontitis and compared with same teeth in the contralateral side of the same arch.
Results: The buccal and lingual periodontal ligament space thickness in cervical, middle, and apical third of teeth with periapical lesion was statistically significant higher than the contra lateral teeth without periapical lesion of the same arch (p<0.05). Furthermore, the alveolar bone measures from CEJ to alveolar crest in both mesial and distal sides of the teeth with periapical lesion was statistically significant higher than the contralateral teeth without periapical lesion of the same arch (p<0.05).
Conclusions: The present study showed that, periapical infection has negative effects on alveolar bone level and periodontal ligament space thickness. CBCT is an effective diagnostic method to visualize and measure the periodontal ligament space and alveolar bone level.