Quantitative evaluation of bone repair of periapical lesions using digital subtraction radiography - Part 2: Clinical application

The method of quantitative evaluation of bone repair of periapical lesions using DSR described in the part 1 of the article was applied in a clinical situation. Twenty-seven patients with 31 peri apical lesions were examined by digital subtraction radiography. The longitudinal radiographs were taken at 1-month intervals after root canal filling. The mean follow-up period was 4 months, with a range of 2-7 months. Results were as follows: 29 of 31 lesions (94%) showed increased bone repair with time, using quantitative assessment. Three patterns (diffuse, peripheral, apical) of bone repair after root canal filling were observed in the subtraction images using qualitative analysis. The bone repair in the diffuse pattern was more rapid than in the other patterns. DSR was a sensitive and accurate method for the quantitative and qualitative evaluation of bone repair in periapical lesions.