Three-dimensional Semi-Automated Volumetric Assessment of the Pulp Space of Teeth with Regenerative Dental Procedures
Abstract Volumetric change of the pulp space over time is a critical measure to determine the outcome of regenerative endodontic procedures (REP). There is a paucity in the literature on the accuracy of domain specialized medical imaging tools for three dimensional (3D) volumetric assessment. Thus, the aim of this study was to compare two different medical image computing platforms (OsiriX MD and 3D Slicer) to estimate the volume of pulp space post REP. Pre and post CBCT Scans of 35 immature permanent teeth (n = 35) with necrotic pulp and periradicular pathosis treated with a cell-homing concept-based REP were processed using two biomedical DICOM software programs: OsiriX MD (commercially available, FDA approved) 2) and 3D Slicer (open source). Volumetric changes in the pulp space were assessed using semi-automated techniques in both the programmes. The data were statistically analyzed using t-test and paired t-test (P = 0.05). The pulp space volume measured with both the programmes showed a statistically significant decrease in pulp space volume post REP (P < 0.05), with no significant difference between the two programmes (P > 0.05). The mean decrease in pulp space volume with OsiriX MD and 3D Slicer were 25.06% ± 19.45% and 26.10.% ± 18.90% respectively. The open-source software (3D Slicer) was as accurate as the commercially available software for the volumetric assessment of the pulp space post REP. This study demonstrates the step-by-step application of 3D Slicer, a user-friendly, easily accessible, open-source multiplatform software for the segmentation and volume estimation of the pulp-space of teeth treated with REP.