Effectiveness of Commercial Software–Enhanced Image Artifact Reduction Software

Diagnosis of a vertical root fracture (VRF) remains a challenge for clinicians, and often direct visualization of the crack through endodontic access or open flap exploratory surgery may be required.1,2 Although conventional 2-dimensional images are still commonly used in their diagnosis,2,3 limited field of view cone-beam computed tomographic (CBCT) imaging now plays an increasingly important role in VRF diagnosis. However, CBCT imaging is not without its limitations, and the detection of VRF continues to be challenging in endodontically treated teeth because of beam hardening (BH) or streak artifacts that are produced.4,5 BH occurs when lower-energy x-rays within the polychromatic beam are selectively absorbed by more superficial tissues and materials. The resulting higher-energy, more-penetrating x-ray beam (ie, the ?harder? beam) then penetrates deeper structures with fewer interactions and arrives at the image receptor more highly attenuated than would be predicted in light of the attenuations of adjacent materials.