Impact of artifact reduction on dimensional accuracy of sealing materials for furcal perforations in CBCT

This study aimed to evaluate the impact of the blooming artifact reduction (BAR) algorithm on the measurement of various sealing materials (Biodentine, MTA ProRoot, MTAFlow, and amalgam) for furcal perforation repair using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). A total of 105 extracted human mandibular first and second molars were prepared and root-filled. Furcal perforations were created, and the specimens were randomly organized into five groups based on the sealing material used: (1) Biodentine, (2) MTA ProRoot, (3) MTAFlow, (4) Amalgam, and (5) Control (no sealing material). After setting, the specimens were embedded in wax, and the crowns were sectioned to measure the diameter of the sealing materials using a digital micrometer. CBCT scans were acquired using the Prexion 3D Elite® CT scanner. The dimensional measurements of sealing materials on the CBCT images was measured using DICOM files and the e-Vol DX software measurement tool, configured to thousandths of a millimeter. BAR algorithms were applied as follows: BAR 3 for the control group, Biodentine, and MTAFlow; BAR 2 for MTA ProRoot; and BAR 1 for amalgam. Statistical analysis was performed using ANOVA and Tukey's test with a significance level of 5%. No significant differences were observed between the diameters of sealing materials measured using the micrometer and those obtained from CBCT images processed with BAR algorithms (Biodentine, MTA ProRoot, MTAFlow, and amalgam). The BAR algorithm in the e-Vol DX software preserved the dimensional accuracy of CBCT images for the tested sealing materials.