Cone beam-computed tomography in the evaluation of post-operative bone healing of jaw Cysts—A retrospective study

Background: Volumetric measurements are used for evaluating dimensions of bone lesions including periapical pathosis, cysts, and tumours, which help to assess the reduction in cystic volume and treatment outcome. Aims: To evaluate the three-dimensional radiographic variation of bone healing over time in jaw cysts after surgical therapy and to check the correlations between these variations. Materials and Method: A retrospective study with 25 pre- and post-treatment Cone Beam-Computed Tomography [CBCT] volumes of patients 18–69 years of age from December 2018 to December 2019 to evaluate the healing process in all three dimensions. These included post-treatment Odontogenic Keratocyst at 44% (n = 11); dentigerous cysts at 36% (n = 9) and Periapical cysts at 20% (n = 5). The post-treatment scans were done after a duration of 6 months, and a 6-point Cone Beam-Computed Tomography Peri-Apical Index (CBCTPAI) scale was used for grading the lesions. Results: SPSS software version 3; Paired t test and Pearson's coefficient bivariate analysis were utilized to correlate the dependent and the independent variables with a P value of 0.05. The mean difference between pre- and post-operative cystic volume was 22.976 ± 7.809. The mean and standard deviation (SD) done by CBCTPAI scale was 70.728 ± 11.144 for pre-operative cystic measurement and 3.880 ± 0.489 for post-operative cystic volume, with a statistically significant value. A positive significant correlation was found in dependent and independent variables. Conclusions: CBCTPAI helps to assess the reduction in cystic volume and shape of jaw cysts which is essential for immediate and excellent surgical treatment and adequate follow-up.