Study of the role of the cortical bone in the trabeculation pattern on periapical radiography of dry human mandibles

ABSTRACT

It is generally believed that the radiographic image of bone striae is a reflection of the trabecular pattern of cancellous bone. Results of a study by Calvacanti et al contradicted suggesting that intraoral radiographic image of trabecular pattern in the mandible reflects the morphology of the endosteal surface of the cortical bone rather than that of cancellous bone. The aim of this study was to test whether the cortical bone has an influence on trabeculation pattern on periapical radiographs made with the paralleling techniques of dry mandibles. Standard parallel periapical radiographs from 7 dry human mandibles made on the same regions from 15 areas prepared. The radiographs acquired before, after removal of buccal, then lingual plate together with endosteal cortical trabecular bone interface. We acquired 45 parallel periapical radiograph. Three maxillofacial radiologists assessed the presence or absence of bone striations on acquired images and whether a difference in trabeculation pattern exists. Answers were scored 0 [exist changes], 1 [no changes]. Data were analyzed by Chi square and Freedman statistical analysis. There was no difference in the pattern of bone striations on images of dry human mandibles in the absence of one or both cortical plates. Cancellous bone has an important role in trabeculation pattern. Removal of buccal and lingual cortical bone causes no change in trabecular pattern