Purpose: The objective of this study was to quantitatively evaluate the artifacts produced by different metallic restorations using four cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) scanners.
Methods: Eight extracted teeth (four mandibular premolars and four mandibular molars) were randomly divided into four groups. Each group comprised of one premolar and one molar. One group was prepared and restored with occluso-mesial amalgam restorations (MO), the second group with mesio-occluso-distal amalgam restorations (MOD), the third group with porcelain fused to metal full coverage restoration, and the fourth group with occluso-mesial indirect metallic restorations (inlays). The restored teeth were then placed in the sockets of dried mandible. Images were obtained using four different cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) scanners, with exposure parameters 85 kVp and 8 mA. Volumes of artifacts were then measured by segmentation using volumetric and 8i thresholding methods
Results: Quantitative evaluation of metallic artifacts using the volumetric method showed the greatest mean value obtained from J Morita for all types of restorations studied while when using the thresholding method Gallileos yielded the greatest mean value for crown, MO, and inlay restoration while scanora produced the greatest mean value for MOD restorations
Conclusion: In cases of scanning patients with multiple fixed restorations Scanora is recommended. In cases of patients with MO or inlay restorations Planmeca AINO™ is recommended. Gallileos and J Morita are acceptable for scanning patients with metallic restorations and recommended in cases of MOD amalgam restorations