The three-dimensional volumetric evaluation of the age-related physiological root resorption of primary second molars using cone beam computed tomography

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the evaluability of the volume of primary second molars in terms of quantity by using Mimics Research 17.0 software which can convert the images in volume units from Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) among patients aged 7 to 11 years. Methods: Retrospective CBCT images and medical records of 40 patients (18 females, 22 males) aged 7-8 years, 8-9 years, 9-10 years and 10-11 years in Dicle University School of Dentistry, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology were evaluated within four groups. According to the age groups, radiologic images of root volumes of primary second molars were evaluated by using a three dimensional modeling program, Mimics Research software (Materialise, Leuven, Belgium, version 17.0). Statistical analysis was performed by using SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Sciences) for Windows OS (version 21.0). Results: The volume of roots of upper right and left, lower right and left primary second molars depending the age groups were found statistically lower in the study group. The root resorption of primary molars was found in half of the patients in 7 to 8 aged group. Physiological root resorption in primary second molars was found in all groups except 7-8. Conclusion: It is concluded that it is not possible to evaluate the primary physiological foot resorption quantitatively with the traditional radiographic methods. In addition, the volumes of the molars can be evaluated with the three dimensional software programs which convert radiolagical images from CBCT and individual-specific three-dimensional models can be created. Key words: Physiological root resorption, CBCT, Mimics software, volume, quantitatively evaluation.