Author/Authors :
Santos, L. A. N. Department of Oral Diagnosis - Division of Oral Radiology - State University of Montes Claros, Avenida Dr. Ruy Braga, MG, Brazil , Lopes, L. J. Piracicaba Dental School - State University of Campinas, SP, Brazil , Roque-Torres, G. D. Piracicaba Dental School - State University of Campinas, SP, Brazil , Oliveira, V. F. Department of Maxillofacial Surgery - State University of Montes Claros, Avenida Dr. Ruy Braga, MG, Brazil , Freitas, D. Q. Department of Oral Diagnosis - Division of Oral Radiology - State University of Campinas, SP, Brazi
Abstract :
Odontomas are the most common benign tumors of odontogenic origin. They are normally diagnosed on routine radiographs, due
to the absence of symptoms. Histopathologic evaluation confirms the diagnosis especially in cases of complex odontoma, which
may be confused during radiographic examination with an osteoma or other highly calcified bone lesions. The micro-CT is a new
technology that enables three-dimensional analysis with better spatial resolution compared with cone beam computed tomography.
Another great advantage of this technology is that the sample does not need special preparation or destruction in the sectioned area
as in histopathologic evaluation. An odontoma with CBCT and microtomography images is presented in a 26-year-old man. It was
first observed on panoramic radiographs and then by CBCT. The lesion and the impacted third molar were surgically excised using
a modified Neumann approach. After removal, it was evaluated by histopathology and microtomography to confirm the diagnostic
hypothesis. According to the results, micro-CT enabled the assessment of the sample similar to histopathology, without destruction
of the sample. With further development, micro-CT could be a powerful diagnostic tool in future research.
