RESUMO
Lesions in hard tissues of teeth can be detected on radiograms only when there exists considerable decrease in mineralisation. By means of digital radiography the diagnostics of dental pathologies becomes more precise and objective. The aim of the paper was the radiodensitometric evaluation of chronic fibrous periapical changes. The material comprised 308 digital intraoral radiograms of teeth with periapical changes among which there were chosen the cases of clinically confirmed chronic fibrous periapical inflammations of endodontically untreated teeth. All radiograms were analysed in the Digora Soredex digital radiography system in gray scale, in full colour and using the tomosynthesis function. The linear measurements of root densities were carried out at the distance of 1 mm from radiological apices while the measurements of alveolar bone at the distance of 2 mm from it. Twenty-five teeth without evident periapical changes formed the control group. There were found significantly lower densities of roots and alveolar bone in the group of chronic fibrous periapical lesions in comparison with the control group. A characteristic feature of chronic fibrous periapical changes is the density of the root of an affected tooth that is higher than in acute inflammation and at the same time lower than in the control group. The radiodensitometry proved to be useful in evaluation of chronic fibrous periapical changes.
